The Pittsburgh Press (October 12, 1940)
BLOND GIRL BANDIT JEERS AT CAPTORS
Walla Walla, Washington, Oct. 12 –
A blond of 18, captured with her two companions after a cross-country chase ended in a gun-battle, jeered at officers and cursed her pals for their poor aim as the youthful bandit trio was returned today to Colfax, Washington, to face charges of car theft and robbery.
Police described the gun-girl, Bernice Treichel, 18, as the “toughest character” they ever encountered. Arrested with her were Richard Letteau, 17, and Allen Treichel, 15.
The trio’s crime career originated in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, when they left home in a stolen car and staged holdups en route west.
When she was treated for shotgun wounds in the shoulder, Miss Treichel asked the police surgeon for the buckshot as a souvenir. She told an officer she would have “shot it out with you” if the police had not staged an ambush.