The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-02

associates already have been con. iNicted and the governments cast Engainst him there is considered rair-tight."
 Hoover accompanied his agentl and their prisoner on the quick dramatic dash llorthward. He wal jubllant ct the newest coup of hii kdepartHnent in its war on ktdnapert and interstate gangsters. Karpis public enemy No. 1 on the G-imeni list for over @ year, with Q 97,00t reward on his head, had joined notorious company. The G-men hac gotten Machine Gun Kelly, Harvey Bailey, John Dillinger, Baby FacC Nelson, Ma" Barker and her in. famous sons-sonie dead and soTng alive-and they had gotten him. Mystery News Channels
 Through mysterious channels, the G-men learned Thursday that the man they wanted, who had been phantom to them since January 1895, when he shot his way out of trap ct Atlantic City, was living in Ian apartment house on Canal street in New Orleans.
 Early Friday, the department oi justice chartered Q twin-motored Douglas transport plane from the Transcontinental and Western Ali at, Newark, N. J., airport. Hoover who was in New York when the i1- formation was received, flew in 1t to Washington where several of his lieutenants joined him. The plane then proceeded to New Orleans, ar- irving only 0 short time before the capture.
 Meanwhile, orders had gone to G. men stationed in cities near New Orleans and when Hoover arrived 20 agents, armed with sawed-ofi shot guns, revolvers, and sub- machine guns, were assembled In tho department of justice ofices in the federal building there.
 No Time Wasted
 Little time was wasted. Hoover gave each man an assignment. Then all got into several cars and ap. preached the apartment building from several directions. Each agent took up his pre.arranged post, uIl- der cover but instantly available.
 Less than an hour after the trap was set, Karpis came Strolling out and crossed the sidewalk toward hiE automobile ct the curb. In Q flash G-men surrounded him and had his hands pinned to his side. He could- mt have resisted if he had wanted though he was unarmed.
 Other agents went to action at onoe. They went to the Karph apartment and, after Q struggle arrested Q handsome, 22-year-old girl, whose identity the agents still are conccaling, and Fred Hunter, suspected bank robber.
 , ISarpis and the girl had lived in the apartment as MT. and Mrs. Ed ward O'Hara since April 10, when KarpiS is believed to have first came to New Orleans. Karpis had made At least two mysterious automobile trips since then. Returning from one he was accompanied by Hunter. Fed efal men believe that he had gone to c distant city and with Hunter participated in hold-up. Federal agents suspected him of using New orleans aS Q base for Q number oi robberieS.
 Information Kept Secret '' Federal agents, as usual, kept sec- ret the source of the information that led to Karpis' arrest, but 1t waa said authoritatively that Q gossipy automobile salesman, Clarence Pu- cheu, known to his clients and friends as Duke, had set afioat ru- mors that reached the d-men.
 Rumors circulated that Karpis woman tipped of the federal agents for the $7,000 reward, but these, like scores of others, were without the least confirmation.
 Soon after Karpis arrived in New Orleans, he went to the automobile agency where Pucheu IS employed Pucheu met him at the door.
 Let's don't talk here,' said Kar- Dis, casting an apprehensive glance at the big plate glass windows lock- ing into the street.
 Pucheu tok his strange customer to a back room, where Karpis asked the price of Plymouth sedan. Pu. cheu told him.
 "All right said Karpis, "1ll buy one."
 He began peeling slOO bills from 8 large roll.
 Had Gone Many Miles
 Pucheu thought that strange. 4 few days later, his customer had the car serviced for "a trip" Less than 8 week later, Karpis returned the car for another servicing. Pucheu glanced at the speedometer and saw that Karpis had driven almost 2,OOC miles.
 My" he said, "but you're a fast worker"
 "H'm the fastest worker in the United States" said Karpis.
 Pucheu thought that even more strange. He talked about his cus- toner to his wife. She suggested that maybe he was gangster. Thee talked about the better known gang sters, and one or the other suggest ed that maybe he was KarpiS.
 They talked about 1t with theil friends and relatives.
 News Had Spread
 Meanwhile. his gossip had result. cd in rumors that spread all over New Orleans. As early as Monday persons, strangers to the Pucheui and their circle of friends, had heard that Karpis was in the city.
 Thursday the report reached the G-men. Yesterday afternoon, Karpif was taken into custody.
 So fast and secretly did the c. men work that many of Karpis neighbors in his apartment house hide-out knew nothing about it un. tIl hours later.
 New orleans police knew nothing of the trap. Excited neighbors tele. phoned them when it was sprung They were indignant.
 An hour after Karpls was taken to the department of justices Nev
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