New Britain herald., 1927-05-06

mans voice say: Dave Is shot and is not expected to live until morn- ing" She was stunned. she said, and for a minute she could not gather her senses. Then she tele- phoned to police headquarters and 1 learned that there had been a shooting but her husband was not seriously injured. She bore up l bravely at the hospital last night and this mornig she was recover ing from the shock of the bungled telephone call.
 Wild Rumors Circulated On learning the details of the shooting from the officer. Detective Sergeant McCue communicated with headquarters and had Detective Ser geant Ellinger and Sergeant Me | Away of the detective bureau sum- moned for duty. The story of the shooting had spread about the city and was being exaggerated as the minutes passed. One report was that Officer Doty had been shot by two men who drove past him on motorcycles. Another story was that he had been killed while mak- ing a raid Several other reports gained circulation and large crowd 1 assembled outside the police station. Detectives were on duty until early this morning running down clues, but left their assignment with the gunman at large. Police Commis- sioner M. w. Bannan accompanied the detectives.
 A short time after the shooting. Officer William J. Mccarthy saw Anthony Nidutis, aged IS. of 5G5 Church street, in d dark passway be- tween buildings on Stanley street, near Dwight. At sight of the officer, the young man ran. Tapping on the sidewalk for assistance, the officer gave chase and as Officers George Collins and William J. Grabeck re- sponded the trio caught Nidutis, who is said to have resisted strenuously, although denying that he had com- mitted any offense.
 In view of the arraignment of Ni- dutis in police court yesterday morn ing on the charge of violation of the liquor law, and the reported slurring remark he is said to have made about Officer Doty to the latter's father, who lives at 63 Franklin street, the police were strongly in- gunman, especially because of his at- tempted escape from the officers. He was kept at police headquarters until after midnight but proved an alibi so perfect the police are satisfied he had no connection with the shooting. city with such speed that the crowd about police headquarters was doubled within few minutes.
 Cannot Break Alibi
 Throughout the grilling. however. he insisted that he had been at the Strand theater between and 1o:00 o'clock. Two policemen supported him in this declaration. as they had seen him entering and leaving, and a young man named Conway, who was with him, was brought to the police station and verified the state ment. Vidutis said he ran because he feared Officer Mccarthy would arrest him for being between the buildings. He said it was necessary 1 for him to go there.
 | Faced by Officer Doty's father. who accused him of having made a disparaging declaration concerning i the officers connection with the raid
 at his store at 2S Franklin street Tuesday afternoon, Vidutis denied the truth of the report. Mir. Doty. however. said he recalled it very dis tinctly. Nidutis, he said, told him 1 he did not think much of the off ! cer for turning in information con- ,cerning the alleged sale of liquor in the store, after he had treated the officer to Smokes numerous times. According to the police. the officers father said Vidutis told him he would "get even' with the officer.
 Vidutis was discharged by Judge Hungerford yesterday morning be- cause the state failed to prove two counts of liquor law violation. Officer Doty, who was said to have had in- formation that would have had an important bearing in the case, was not called to testify, through a mis- understanding. Asked if he thought Vidutis was the gunman, Officer Doty said he was positive he was not. He was certain he could recognize Vii dutis. having seen him numerous 1 times.
 Mother Overcome At Boys Plight | Shortly after midnight, Vidutis' mother, having heard Aof his appre- i hension, made her way to the po- ! lice station and almost tainted at sight of the crowd about the en- trance. My boy my boy" she cried. ] Lieutenant Rival. who had just re- ported for duty, hastened to her side, and Sergeant McCue. on being told
 her identity, assured her that her son was about to be released. Thank
 you; thank everybody, You have done so much for me" she said. as she left the station few minutes
 later, with her son.
 Threat Against McCue
 : The theory that the gunman shot
 the wrong policeman was being dis
 cussed in police circles today. when hf lyo,n l., hot !, A was convicted in police court a few