Paris in the early 1900s was more akin to the wild west of the United States than anything else. Lawlessness was everywhere. There were gangs of thieves, each one with their own brand and style. This particular article is about the gang known as the Phantom Bandits.
“Phantom Bandits” Chief Wins in Battle With 100 Detectives
Kills Police Official
Twenty-three Deaths Now Credited to Outlaw Tribe Who Have Terrorized Paris for Months
Paris, France, April 24. — Bonnot, chief of the “Phantom Bandits,” who have kept Paris in terror for months, triumphed over the entire police force of the city today.
For weeks, the police have been close on Bonnot’s trail. Twice he was rounded up, and every preparation made for his capture, and twice he slipped through the fingers of the police at the last moment.
Today, he did not slip through their fingers. He came out in the open and fought, and Assistant Chief of Detectives Jouin is dead, his colleague Collmar is mortally wounded, and Bonnot still is at large.
Bonnot was known to be living in a quiet boarding house in the eastern section of the city, today. One hundred detectives were assigned to capture him.
Jouin and Collmar, veterans of the police department, men honored for the high excellent of their work, themselves decided to take charge of the capture.
Because of the heavy odds, it was not thought Bonnot would offer much resistance. It was thought that the chief of the “Phantom Bandits” was as good as in a cell.
The one hundred men were thrown about the house in which Bonnot was known to be. Not a loophole was left for escape. Jouin and Collmar, as soon as they were satisfied with the disposition of their men, advanced upon the house.
And then the door of the house opened and Bonnot himself stood upon the porch.
Jouin and Collmar shouted aloud in triumph. Bonnot swept them a low bow, and as he did so, drew two automatic revolvers.
Jouin fell first, instantly killed. Collmar fell a moment later, coughing blood.
The one hundred detectives sprang from their places of concealment and rushed upon the murderer.
They got in each others way, and in the excitement and confusion, Bonnot disappeared as utterly as if the earth had swallowed him.
The Phantom Bandits have murdered 23 persons since they began their operations last February. Unlike the ordinary criminals, they kill first and steal afterwards.
Their favorite method is to enter a bank on the outskirts of Paris, kill every official, and then loot the vaults.
They always escape in a stolen automobile, the owner and chauffeur of which they have killed.
The French government has purchased eight of the highest power automobiles made, and appropriated $250,000 to aid in the work of running down the gang.
Two members of it — Carony and Callemain — have been captured and are in cells.
But Bonnot is the brains and the executive head of the band, and until he is dead or under lock and key there will be little rest for Paris.
Not long ago Jouin received a signed note from Bonnot. It read:
“I sat beside you in a tramway car yesterday. You looked sick. Don’t die of your illness for I shall kill you soon.”
Source: (1912, April 24). “Phantom Bandits” Chief Wins in Battle With 100 Detectives. The Day Book.
