Part 53, page 117

Transcript

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FD-350 (Rev. 7-16-63)

(Mount Clipping in Space Below)

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Hijacker of jetliner steals public fancy here

By ROSS ANDERSON

Despite the concern about high crime rates and calls for hard-line law-and-order stands, many Seattleites yesterday revealed a subtle admiration for Wednesday's mysterious airline hijacker.

Nobody denied the reality of the crime, nor the potential for tragedy which existed. But, perhaps since nobody was hurt, the hijacker seemed to have evoked for himself some of the legends and memories of past outlaws.

"It's kind of a Robin Hood thing," said Larry Kellas, an assistant manager in a downtown department store. Asked how he reacted to the crime, he added: "He'll probably be caught, and he should be. But it was still pretty dramatic and spectacular."

The crime may have been unique, but the response was not. Certain outlaws from Robin Hood to Britain's "Great Train Robbers" have inadvertently captured the imagination of the common man.

"We all like adventure stories," noted Dr. Otto Larsen, professor of sociology at the University of Wahington. "That hijacker took the greatest ultimate risk. He showed real heroic features — mystery, drama, romanticism, a high degree of skill and all the necessities for the perfect crime."

"He was either very talented or very crazy — or both," said Mrs. Helen M. McNeely when asked for her reaction. "A native of Illinois, she recalled the infamous gangster of the 1930s, John Dillinger.

"But Dillinger had a real mean streak," she noted. "This man (the hijacker) fortunately didn't hurt anybody and somehow that seems to make a difference."

Some other reactions drawn from downtown shoppers yesterday included:

Pvt. David Ricardo, military on leave from New Jersey: "I think he'll get away with it. Anyway, I hope he isn't caught. If I were him I'd take off for South America. It all seems like a fantasy."

Gordon Embree, taxicab driver: "You've got to admit, he was clever. The way I see it, anybody smart enough to take $200,000 just like that ought to make a clean getaway. I'm not saying he's right, understand, but he plain had guts."

Charldene Ashley, student: "It was kind of ingenious. He's done pretty well so far and I think it's all right if he gets away with it."

Tom Pettinger, Seattle mortician: "It was such a smooth operation that I think he'll pull it off. But he should be caught; somebody has to pay."

Chuck Miller, a sailor at Sand Point: "Technically, of course, he should be caught. But in a way, I'm glad he got away. I can't help thinking: If I were going to do something like that, I wish I could do it as well as he did."

Dean Weaver, Seattle: "I hope he's caught in about 25 years, just so we can find out what happened to him."

Salvador [guess: a] Tirazona, Seattle: "He pulled a fast one on the plane company. It was a slick move because it was the first time anybody has gotten away with something like that — escaping that is."

Nearly all those questioned

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(Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.)

p. A10 Seattle Times Seattle, Wash.

Date: 11/28/71 Edition: Sunday Author: Ross Anderson Editor: Henry McLeod Title: UNSUB; aka Dan Cooper, Northwest Airlines Fl. 305, PD to Character: SE, 11/24/71 or CAA-HIJACKING; EXT Classification: 164-81 Submitting Office: Seattle

☐ Being Investigated

COPY SENT TO BUREAU

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DB Cooper-22455