Evening star., 1950-01-05
Ex-Convict Captured
After Fleeing Detective
In Prince Georges

was TeCapJureQ Dy FrlnCe Georges
County police today less than six
hours after he escaped from a
county detective was being held
in the Upper Marlboro Jail on a
traffic charge and for investiga-
tion of housebreaking.
The man. Gordon Hickman of
the 100 block Of Lyman place
NE. was recaptured shortly be-
fore noon in a private garage at
5813 Skyland drive. Morningside,
Md.
Police said he offered no re-
sistance and was not armed.
Also being held for investiga-
ton of housebreaking is Thomas
Assaid. %. of the 200 block of
Maple road. Morningside Heights,
Md. He was with Hickman when
the two were picked up early to-
day in Oxon Hill by Prince
Georges Detective John Siddall
for driving on the wrong side of
the road.
Arrested in 1946.
According to police, Hickman. a
Merchant Marine veteran, uses the
alias Edward Gordon and was
arrested in 1916 by the FBI in
Baltimore after a cross-country
car theft and robbery spree.
Hickman and a companion
Michael F. Moriarty, jr., were con-
victed Of entering a car owned by
Seth L. Odom of Washington at
Seventh street and New York ave-
nue. NV. pushing a coathanger
wrapped in a rag into his ribs and
ordering him to drive to Glenn
Dale, Md.
There, they stopped the car, hit
MIR. Odom on the head with a
rock and drove off, police said.
Hickman escaped from Detective
Siddall about $50 am. today when
he was permitted to 60 to the
washroom after being given break
fast at the Turnpike Restaurant,
District Heights. Police immedi-
ately spread out on a search of
the area.
About II am, Detective Vim
cent Free spotted the missing man
in a wooded area near Morning.
side. but was unable to catch him.
Captured Through Picture.
In the meantime, Detective
Siddall had stopped at a tavern
on Mayhem road. where he showed
patrons a picture of the escaped
man. One of those who saw the
picture was L. B. Waller of the
Skyland drive address.
When Mr.. Waller went home, he
saw Hickman in his rear yard
and notified police.
Detective Siddall said that when
he stopped the car in which Hick-
man and Assaid were riding this
morning, his suspicious were
aroused by the contents of the
vehlcle-an electric drill, screw
drivers, several changes of clothes,
several pairs of gloves and s14
IN n1ckels and dimes.
In a subsequent Investigation;
Mr.. Siddall said. he learned that
Hickman and his companion
maintained quarters at a cabin
IN tourist camp near Fairfax, Va
New Clothing in Cabin.
The officer said he and Fairfax
police found new clothing and
four tuxedoes in the cabin. as
well as $40 in quarters, $3.50 in
dimes and $3.50 In nickels. He
quoted the men as saying they
returned recently from Ohio, but
that before December 2 they
worked in Washington for a win
dow screen firm.
Detective Siddall said he was
on another assignment when he
approached the mems car on Liv-
ingston Hill road, Oxon Hill. He
started to pass, but they pulled
over to the left in front Of him
and temporarily blocked the way
Mr.. Siddall said there was no
reason to handcuff the men in
the course Of the investigation.
He had questioned them in the
presence of both Washington and
Virginia policemen and was pre-
pairing to take them to Marlboro,
where they were to be booked on
an open charge Of investigation.
He said Assaid made no attempt
to break away.