Evening star., 1960-04-15
KIDNAPPING
Peugeot Boy Released Unhormed,
Repeatedly for Ransom in Gold
Continued From First Page

boys father, Roland, appeared
to speak to hundreds of news
men:
II am very happy. I hardly
think there is anything more
to say"
Then, he led his wife and
two sons, Eric and 7-year-
old Jean-Philippe, before a
battery of photographers for q
few seconds. Little Eric snug
gled in his mothers arms and
appeared bemused. The father
read a brief statement saying:
II acted absolutely alone,
without the aid of the police"
In obtaining the release Of
Eric.
May Have Been Gold
Some Paris newspapers said it
was believed the ransom was
paid in gold, but made no men,
ton Of the sum.
The mystery surrounding
the ransom led to speculation
the father had promised the
kidnapers to keep the details
secret. In a nationwide televi-
sion appeal two nights ago he
promised to abide by instruc-
tions If he got his son back
and also promised he would not
press charges if the boy was
safely returned.
Police Inspector Albert Gillet,
bossing detectives investigating
the case, told newsmen I'VE
can give no information on the
ransom, neither on how it was
constituted or how it was de-
livered to the kidnapers."
Inspector Gillet said search
for the kidnapers got started
in earnest after the boy was
freed at l am.
search Is PuSneo
I'VE promised the family"
he said, I'VE did not wish to do
anything to frighten the kid
napers. But now everything is
being done to find the kid
napers as quickly as possible"
He said Eric had been un-
able to give more than a super
fetal account Of his captivity
and the men who held him.
The boy was found crying on
a sidewalk within half q mile
of his home here early this
morning. He said two men left
him there, apparently the same
two men who abducted him
from the playground at swank
st. Cloud Country Club Tues
day afternoon.
Boy in Good Health
Eric and his parents were in
their sixth-floor apartment this
morning, the drapes drawn and
four police on guard outside.
Eric was examined by q doc
tor and pronounced in good
health. Questioned closely, he
said: II didn't know the two
men who took me away in a
car. They didn't take me far.
I was in a ground floor apart
ment. They had a television
set they didn't hurt me-"
Then, smuggling up to his
father, he added, II am very
happy now"
At the news that Eric was
safe, police intensified their
search for the kidnapers. Road
blocks were set up at various
points in Paris.
Found Near Bar
I'm afraid. I'm all alone"
Eric told Lucien Bonnet, an
employe in a district tax office
who happened by and found
the child on the sidewalk.
Mr.. Bonnet took the lad into
q bar 20 yards down the street.
The half-dozen late customers
took a quick look at newspaper
photographs, and the chubby,
shock-haired child confirmed
their hopeful suspicion.
my name is Eric Peugeot, !"
he said.
The people in the bar
whooped with joy.
Mr.. Bonnet telephoned the
neighborhood police station.
Several police cars screamed to
a halt in front of the bar
almost before Eric could be
served the hot chocolate he
asked for. He nodded his head
afhrmatively when asked If he
had been well treated.
Father in Tears
The police took the child to
a police station 300 yards away,
and another car raced to the
Peugeot apartment on fashion,
able Avenue Victor Hugo. Mr..
Peugeot, a director in several
Of the family's network of
automobile, bicycle and house.
hold appliances manufacturing
companies, rushed to the police
station to'reclaim his son.
Tears streamed down his face
as he Rugged the boy. Eric was
impassive and wide-eyed, be-
wildered by all the attention
and photographers flashes.
II can't say anything" Mr..
Peugeot told reporters as he
brought the child out of the
station. He bundled the boy
into police car for the short
trip home.
A crowd which. had gathered
outside the Peugeots' apart
ment building applauded and
cheered as the father carried
his blanket-wrapped child into
the house. Automobiles jammed
the street.
A doctor examined the boy
and pronounced him in perfect
health. Soon after he was
asleep in his own bed.
A slim, dark-haired man