True crime · 21.08.1919
Over the Karlova roofs: Kristjan Viro's escape and capture
Üle Karlova katuste: Kristjan Viro põgenemine ja tabamine
On 21 August 1919 militia officer August Austa and his men searched a flat at Karlova Street 49 in Tartu, looking for the gang leader Kristjan Viro, whose band had been robbing and killing across the county all summer. Viro was hiding in a bed behind a screen. He leapt at Austa, tried to shoot him and got away across the roofs; a shot fired after him missed. Austa had his revenge two months later: on 17 October he caught Viro in a butcher's flat on Pihkva Street, today's Võru Street. Viro's revolver was loaded, but he was overpowered before he could use it.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
21. augustil 1919 otsisid miilitsaametnik August Austa ja tema mehed Tartus Karlova tänav 49 korterist jõugupealikku Kristjan Virot, kelle salk oli terve suve maakonnas röövinud ja tapnud. Viro peitis end sirmi taga voodis. Ta kargas Austale kallale, püüdis teda tulistada ja pääses üle katuste; talle järele saadetud lask läks mööda. Kaks kuud hiljem sai Austa revanši: 17. oktoobril tabas ta Viro ühe lihuniku korteris Pihkva tänaval, praegusel Võru tänaval. Viro revolver oli laetud, kuid ta suruti maha enne, kui jõudis seda kasutada.
Source: Jens Raevald, 'Kristjan Viro röövlijõuk', Tuna 3/2025, from court files in the National Archives ↗