BANK GUN DUEL

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1932, Page 7

BANK GUN DUEL

MANAGER FOILS BANDITS. WHO ESCAPE IN STOLEN CAR NEW YORK, July 9. Six armed bandits who tried to, loot the Bronx County Trust Company’s bank in New York, to-day were foiled by the, heroic resistance of the manager, Mr' Frank Reilly. Duririg the . thrilling gun duel that peppered the bartk ; with shots, customers and clerks cfawled for safety under the counters'. Although at least one bandit' was wounded, the gang escaped in a stolen

Clerks were transacting .business with a number of depositors when six men entered with hats over their eyes and drawn pistols. Two of then trained their" weapons on Mr Reilly and ordered him to open thp door to a teller’s cage. He obeyed, and while three - bandits began to assemble all the available cash, three others mounter guard at the door threatening te shoot any clerk or customer wh: moved.

A bank attendant, who had beer stationed outside the bank, tlier charged through the door with a drawn gun, but before he eculc fire one bandit wheeled and shot bin down. This Interruption, howdver. had distracted the. men guarding Mi Reilly and- the manager took advantage of 1 their relaxed vigilance tr snatch a pistol frem a drawer ant open fire on them .

This exciting duel lasted fully twr minutes. Customers ehreiked ns shotr whistled past their ears, and dropped to their knees, wliile tellers dived behind their,cages. Shooting wildly, tin three bandits who had been gathering money retreated and joined their com-* panions in a rush towards the doorS.