Library of Congress. Riverside deputies were assisted in the high-speed chase by officers of other agencies as it entered Sam Bernardino County. Top 5 Bank Robbery Movies - YouTube It was unlikely that Floyd had been involved, but J. Edgar Hoover used the event as propaganda to further the cause of armed FBI agents. Two bank robbers and one deputy died in the gun battle, nine officers were wounded. The banks, however, consider this kind of theft an acceptable loss, so that was okay with me being part of the loss that they consider acceptable. Here are 15 of the greatest bank robbers of all time, some with a little fame, others not as much and some the basis for major motion pictures. 5 of History's Great Bank Robberies | Mental Floss 12 Nebraska outlaws and their stories - JournalStar.com The Soboba Grab and Dash was a casino heist straight out of the Hollywood movies. This led Dillinger to be admired by many who considered the banks who foreclosed on homes and farms as the real enemy. On April 23, 1934, the gang were confronted by police and, during a getaway, Hamilton was wounded and died shortly after. ", On the final job that didn't go as planned, "The teller freaked out as soon as I turned to leave the bank. Jesse James was a ruthless bank robber whowas so confident in his work he would leave behind press releases of his recent crimes. Rebecca Seales, The Daily Mail. Once the driver realized what was happening, he manipulated the vehicles controls to cause the engine to stall, after they had covered the seven miles aforementioned, and the robbers were forced to continue their flight on foot. In the 1920s a surge of bank robberies across the United States began which continued through the Great Depression of the 1930s. Ted Conrad was working as a teller at the . Is it strange that every time I walk into a bank I lightly case the joint? US bank robber identified after decades-long hunt - BBC News In February 1864, Green was arrested and after questioning admitted that he had committed the murder and robbery, informing the authorities where the remaining money was hidden. In December a robbery attempt was foiled when a bank worker pushed an alarm button, forcing the would-be robbers to flee empty-handed, but a week later they were more successful at a bank in Upland, Indiana. Forcing the employees to lay on the floor and binding the hands of the banks president, Walter Oakley, they rifled the drawers and vault and made off with about $19,000 in cash. Floyd was killed in an Ohio field on the night of October 22, 1934, though several different versions of the events that night emerged from the participants in the shooting and witnesses. Seventy-five stab wounds were inflicted on the three employees, and the stabbings only ended when they were interrupted by the entry of three customers, who were taken to the back at gunpoint and shot in the head. They remained at large until two days later when they were encountered in the general region of the second shootout. FBI agent Melvin Purvis hunted down Pretty Boy Floyd to an Ohio field. 9. He reunited with girlfriend, and partner in crime, Edna Murray before joining Alvin Karpis and the Barker gang, who were at the peak of their criminal success. On the morning of February 27, Henry and his sons were at work in the bank when two men Clyde Barrow and Red Hamilton entered the building. On February 13, 1866, a Tuesday, a group of riders rode into Liberty, Missouri. The heist inspired three films: 10 Million Dollar Getaway, the Big Heist, and Goodfellas. Still, theres got to be something to walking into the prison yard and being asked what you do and reply with Bank Robber. There are much worse things to put on your prison resume. Whichever teller was available to help me is the one I robbed. Volney Davis. Wikimedia. The 300 million yen robbery caught the interest of international media when it took place in 1968. These ruthless thieves would burst in and ransack the bank, usually forcing a manager to open the vault. As tropes in crime films go, the slick bank heist is one of the most romantic and frequent, ripe for cool cinematography, interesting costume and brazen dialogue. The World Trade Center employees had already been subdued. However, this was invented by a reporter who never even interviewed Sutton. Baghdad holds the infamous record for the . Barrow was killed instantly by a headshot and Parker, in the passenger seat, was sprayed with bullets soon afterwards. He was pissed, of course, because it wasn't closing time, and he thought he had gotten there too late. French "Vacuum Gang" Since 2006, in France, an unknown gang of thieves have been emptying supermarket safes, using nothing more than a drill and a modified vacuum cleaner. Boston Thieves Pull Off Brink's Robbery - HISTORY His bank robbery style became known as the Lamm Technique, and was widely imitated by other famous bank robbers, such as John Dillinger. Despite this, he has still gotten away with over 45 armed bank robberies; an amazing feat considering that, statistically, over 65% of armed bank robbery cases in the US are solved. Gillis would become known as Baby Face Nelson and despite being very short (54) and small (133 lbs) he was a dangerous individual during the golden age of gangsters. After the Northfield, robbery attempt led to the destruction of the James-Younger gang Jesse and his brother Frank escaped, and for a time lived under an assumed name in Nashville, Tennessee. Director: Roger Avary | Stars: Eric Stoltz, Julie Delpy, Martin Raymond, Eric Pascal Chaltiel. In Indiana, Van Meter robbed a police station with Dillinger. Young had contacts with Confederate agents in Canada, who authorized the raid on St. Albans, which was actually the simultaneous robbery of the three banks in the town. The robbery involved a political bribery scandal, surfboard repair kits and lots of dynamite. Before they left, the Termites started a fire that set off the sprinkler system and flooded the building. After a bank robbery it wasnt uncommon to find Pretty Boy handing out bags of cash to people and ripping up mortgage papers also stolen from the bank. Hoover wouldnt have to wait long. He was shot dozens of times, and several of his fingers were blown off. The escapees then travelled to Lima County jail to liberate Dillinger. Jesse James is arguably Americas most famous thief and murderer, certainly the most famous of the western outlaws during the two decades which followed the American Civil War. Thomas Limerick, a onetime boxcar bandit, became a "public enemy" bank robber in the Gage County area in the 1930s. January 14, 1998, 3 Survivors of Geronimo Bank Robbery Testify at Neill Retrial. He was tied up with a necktie and eventually sentenced to life imprisonment, which he served in Alcatraz. "I think morality is very subjective. He was paroled in 1932, and began to commit small time robberies with Parker. 3. Shots were fired at the robbers outside while their three companions were still inside, who shot the clerk in the head and fled. Whilst in prison he tried to escape with another prisoner. Ted P. Yeatman. Dillinger and his gang, which included for a time notorious gangster George "Baby Face" Nelson, were suspected of robbing $52,000 from the First National Bank in Mason City on March 13, 1934. In addition to violence, Baby Face Nelson also robbed banks, completing his first job by the age of 21 years old. 25 Biggest Robberies, Raids, And Heists Ever So he told the police, the police told the bank, the bank checked the video..and they saw her take it. The only money the gang managed to take during the robbery was a few bags of nickels. What was also known to most of the towns residents was that Green was heavily in debt, and the postmaster position, which was a political patronage job, provided an income which was insufficient for Green to pay his debts. They fled to the north. Christopher Goodwin, The Times (London). Philip And Matasareanu Were Heavily Medicated During The North Hollywood Bank Robbery Shootout. He used cash to buy a one-way ticket on . After robbing the wife of the Chicago mayor, he earned his nickname. 9 Million was stolen (which translates to $21.6 Million today). 1986 FBI Miami shootout, deadly shootout between FBI and two bank robbers. Banco Rio Robbery In Argentina Might Just Be Heist Of The Century He remained on the run for three years before crashing his car in thick fog. He committed his first major robbery in the 1920s, burglarizing a hospital in Tulsa. The Hole in the Wall Pass in Wyoming was an easily defended, difficult to approach hideout for several criminal gangs which took sanctuary there from the 1860s through the early twentieth century. Jesse James. It was the largest amount ever stolen from a bank in U.S. history. He was also an associate of John Dillinger, Alvin Karpis and the Barker gang. Notable Prisoners | Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site The 10 Most Successful Bank Robberies In History - Thrillist After the cashier reluctantly complied the men made their escape with about $32,000, most of it in gold. Most of the robbers were caught but the gold remains at large. During the heist, a police officer was gunned down and Dillinger was officially charged with the murder, even though many witnesses named Hamilton as the shooter. These gangsters graduated into armed robbers and became known as the Tape Bandits, of which Nelson was a respected member. He was buried by Dillinger. There has to be some disappointment that comes with getting caught because cameras picked up the license plate of a stolen getaway car. From 1874 to 1921 it is estimated that Starr robbed over 21 banks, stealing $60,000 in cash. Bank Robbers in the American West 15 Of The Most Notorious Criminals Never Caught | TheRichest 8 Candice Rose Martinez. The following year he robbed a bank in Grand Haven, Michigan. 300 million yen robbery. Other aspects involved each gang member being assigned a job such vault man, driver or lobby man. Beginning in late 1924 and stretching into the early spring of 1925 a series of bank robberies throughout Indiana baffled authorities, as bank after bank found itself victim to a gang which simply vanished into thin air following the robberies. Whether the raid was an act of war or a bank robbery has been debated ever since. Early 20th Century Bank Robberies in Iowa - Cardinal Tales He writes about pop culture and humor, he is also a degenerate gambler (which he also writes about). The Most Notable Train Robberies In The Wild West - Grunge.com Before the American Civil War, most thefts from banks were burglaries, among them the taking of over $150,000 from the Bank of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1798, when the thief or thieves entered the bank after hours, leaving no sign of force. Sutton claimed he never actually said it. The story is an interesting tale of false accusation, coupled with the usual case of not-so-witting, post-heist behaviors of the robbers. A determined J Edgar Hoover had even vowed to personally arrest Karpis. bank. Bass's one and only big haul was in September of . Wikimedia. The first bank robbery caught on camerafrom 1957. Who wouldnt be curious? The British Bank of the Middle East Robbery. The Norco shootout in the town of that name in California took place on May 9, 1980, between five bank robbers and deputies of the Riverside County and later San Bernardino County sheriff's departments. AP. The duo stole firearms and bullet proof vests. James was not positively identified by any witnesses (though he was well known in the area), and none of the money was ever recovered. Successful bank robber explains how he never got caught Train robberies. Though he's probably one of Texas's most famous outlaws, Sam Bass is widely regarded to have been a rather inept criminal. The suspect's disappearance was a mystery that lasted 52 years - a few months longer than he did. He was not, but it was likely that the Sundance Kid was, and if so Cassidy certainly knew about the robbery, which took place as he was in Tipton, Wyoming, making plans for another train robbery. Tulsa World. Dillinger was portrayed by Jonny Depp in the 2009 film Public Enemies, though the film has some major inaccuracies, such as the timeline of deaths of Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson. Dillinger wanted to be more famous than Capone and let everyone know who he was. The two stormed into the casino, held everyone at gunpoint and tied up several of the casino staff. Robbing banks was Dillingers bread and butter, and often included elaborate plans that placed him front and center, demanding attention of security, tellers and customers. 4. They were able to do so thanks to the driver, who was not an accomplice but was provided along with the vehicle, which had been rented by the two bank robbers. This makes the act of tunneling into a bank, or other unlawful entry such as forcing the locks, technically a burglary rather than a robbery, but in the public imagination they are one and the same thing for the most part. He did a Reddit Ask Me Anything yesterday, and it yielded some fascinating stuff. Famous American Bank Robbers. Also, Starr starred in a silent movie based on his criminal activity titled A Debtor to the Law. A fellow inmate sexually assaulted him over the course of a year, until Clyde eventually cracked his skull with a metal bar. A group of men in ski masks entered the building using a key that Pace had kept after he was fired. After another robbery three months later, a composite sketch was finally able to be drawn up and . Sutton was the Cal Ripken of bank robbers, participating in over 100 bank robberies over a 35-year span. 7. . 10 Of The Most Famous Bank Robberies In America Not fake talking on her phone as a distraction, but carrying on an actual conversation while slipping the teller a this is a robbery note. Turns out she was talking with her accomplice, a boyfriend driving the getaway car outside the banks. Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla, and leader of the James-Younger Gang. The earliest recorded bank heist in the States, as far as we know, was in 1798. Eric A. Aguilera and his accomplish Luda Ramos robbed The Soboba Casino in Las Vegas in 2005. The small explosion occurred in public outside the bank, causing witnesses to take notice of the man. He moved to America shortly before the outbreak of World War I, and became a hold up man; quickly adapting his military training, his study of tactics and his precision and discipline to the art of crime. I keep telling myself that if I live to be old (over eighty) that would be a good time to try heroin or other drugs because, why not? ", "No. The well-armed gangs often outgunned the police, and violent crime took an upsurge. Butch Cassidy (seated at right) and the Wild Bunch, one of several gangs which used Hole in the Wall Pass as a hideout. So I never let anyone (not even my wife or best friend) know what I was doing. 25+ Attention-Stealing Bank Robbery Statistics for 2022 - CapitalCounselor Dillinger buried his friend at the home of Volney Davis and Edna Murray. Jesse James fame was so widespread that many towns claim to have been robbed by him, despite little evidence of it being true. Willie Sutton. In January of 1934 Hamilton and his crew robbed over $20,000 from a bank and gunned downed an officer. After staying unidentified for more than 50 years, an infamous bank robber from the USA has finally been identified. Published Tue, Jul 31 2012 12:33 PM EDT Updated Fri, Sep 13 . John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, and several others, were cheered by those who had been hurt by the banks during the collapse of many of them in the early days of the depression. One of the most famous bank robberies is that of the Coffeyville raid in Kansas. Wikimedia. Its funny how a lot of bank robbers never wear disguises anymore. He was executed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in 2002, by lethal injection. Cassidy ordered the bank vault's location and made away with a box full of money amounting to more than twenty thousand dollars. Floyd wasnt your typical gangster bank robber though; no, he was providing a service. They were not in uniform and were not connected to any existing command of the Confederate Army, though they were under the ostensible command of Bennett Young, a former member of Morgans Raiders who had surrendered with Morgan but escaped to Canada. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. They were the first bank robbers to be caught through the use of security cameras, though they were far from the last, as local newscasts have broadcast the video images of thieves on a routine basis ever since. They were both convicted of the crimes in 1985 and sentenced to death for capital murder and several other crimes in connection with the robbery. Floyd robbed more than thirty banks and killed at least ten men during his criminal career. One of the fake heads used by the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris bank robbers all during their 1962 escape from Alcatraz. Because I enjoyed it. John Dillinger spent nine years in prison for assault and battery committed while he was robbing a grocery store, and spent his time there being tutored in the art of bank robbery. May 2, 2004, Frank and Jesse James: The Story Behind the Legend. Dillinger was charged; however, many claim it was Hamilton who pulled the trigger. I have tried to rank in order of reputation and skill. The year was 2005 and at only 19 years of age, the Cell Phone Bandit, Candice Rose Martinez, was famous for her bank robbery execution. The robbers shot up more than two dozen patrol cars and damaged a police helicopter. This marked the beginning of forty-four minutes of endless shooting all caught live. Clipping from the Minneapolis Tribune, March 14, 1934. In addition to being a master bank robber he was also a master of escaping from prison (which is good when your job is robbing banks on the outside). He started with several banks in New York City and then moved to New Jersey before coming back to the city where he would eventually get caught driving a stolen delivery car. Is it strange that every time I walk into a bank I lightly case the joint? During his criminal career, which was a short and violent one, he was only accused of personally killing one individual, an East Chicago police officer, though his associates killed many more while committing robberies and eluding capture. The skies darkened when Cassidy got close, thats how badass he was during the time of the Wild Wild West. D.B. Cooper Hijacking FBI - Federal Bureau Of Investigation Infamous Bank Robber Who Was On The Run For 50 Years - IndiaTimes In 1881, the brothers returned to Missouri. Johnny D. Boggs, True West Magazine. Athan G. Theoharis, John Stuart Cox. Bank robbers became part of American folklore in many cases, among them being the James brothers, Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang, the Younger Brothers, and in a later era John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Willie Sutton, and many others. Eventually the F.B.I. ", On how he didn't carry a gun or threaten people. Father and Son Help Crack Unsolved 1969 Bank Robbery His means of robbing banks were never violent; in fact the machine gun he carried was empty. 1. List of bank robbers and robberies - Wikipedia Mug shot of Lester Gillis, alias George Nelson, known to history as Baby Face Nelson. Eventually he would do some time (all bank robbers eventually do some time), but that didnt keep Williams from his day job. Martinez and her boyfriend would rob 4 banks in Northern Virginia, stealing just under $50,000 before they got caught and prosecuted. The young men produced shotguns and ordered the chief cashier, a man named Birge, and his aides to hand over all available cash. I guess you can blame Stockholm Syndrome here, but this is pretty crazy even to me (someone that totally believes Johnny Utah would join the Dead Presidents in their bank robbing adventures). The pair robbed banks together during the 1930s. The Rich Hill Tribune, August 19, 1909. In April 1930, Nelson robbed his first bank and got away with $4000. He married Beryl Hovious, in 1924, but the marriage ended in divorce. Williams and his gang were known for being able to do bank jobs in under a minute. Hamilton began his criminal career by robbing a gas station in Indiana, and being sentenced to a very long prison term of 25 years. Nov 18, 2020. The robbers were armed with rifles, handguns, and shotguns. Barrow soon killed again, after a robbery at a grocery store where he shot the owner for showing resistance; during the robbery they stole just $28 and a few groceries. In the late 1920s Lester Gillis, who used the alias George Nelson, was developing a budding criminal career by performing home invasions stealing cash, jewelry, and furs, and robbing stores and taverns. The duo and their gang went on to rob numerous other stores and banks before their downfall. 10 Famous Outlaws of The Wild West | History Hit Most historians agree she was completely smitten with him, and willingly joined him as his partner in crime. Two bank robbers and one deputy died in the gun battle, nine officers were wounded. In prison he met Fred Barker who was serving a sentence for bank burglary. J.L. Townspeople raised the alarm and armed men were awaiting the robbers as they exited the bank. Prior to that action, a bank robber in Ohio could escape to a bordering state such as Kentucky or Indiana and avoid pursuit and arrest. I love the story of J.L. Butch Cassidy: Butch Cassidy was the leader of one of the famous robbery gangs, Wild Butch Gang. She just shrugged -- palms up like a little kid -- and said, "That's all I got." Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. He has killed more FBI agents than any other single American citizen. After many successful bank robberies and kidnappings, Davis was captured and charged with kidnapping. Valerio Viccei was the mastermind behind the heist that took place on July 12, 1987 and resulted in a robbery involving $66 million, worth about $154.7 million as of today. The only caveat is, it's successful as long as you don't get caught. At this time, unemployment in the USA had risen to 25% and many more people were resorting to crime. The 10 Weirdest Unsolved Heists In History - Ranker Barrow was armed with a sawed-off shotgun. The pair robbed banks together during the 1930s. They fired grenades, mortar rounds, and bullets into the building. He was convicted of bank robbery in Ohio and sentenced to 15 years in the infamous Ohio State Penitentiary in November of 1930 but escaped and continued his life of crime. 9 Unsolved Mysteries of the Wild West | Mental Floss Born in 1847 and raised in the "Little Dixie" area of western Missouri, James and his slave-owning family maintained strong . After being arrested and imprisoned in the escape proof Lake County jail, Dillinger was able to use a carved wooden pistol to trick guards, and lock them in his cell. Sometimes you are born into the lifestyle, and for Lester M. Gillis that came at the tender age of 12 when he first shot someone with a gun. Despite FFR1000 charged, she's an art student with day jobs e.g. I just told them what I wanted, and they complied. Arguably the third largest heist in history, a robbery masterminded by . He took part in the Dillinger gangs last bank raid, in which four innocent bystanders were murdered. Cattle rustling. Two members of his gang survived and James Oklahoma Jack Clark went on to join the Dillinger gang after being imprisoned, though Dillinger told Clark he couldnt join them unless he told him everything he knew about the Lamm Technique. The Bank of Montpelier/Facebook. Although Al Capone had been named Public Enemy Number One by the city of Chicago in 1930, John Dillinger was the first to hold the title as bestowed nationally by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Nelson robbed his first bank in April 1930, another in October, and in Chicago that year robbed jewelry from the mayor of Chicagos wife. This is how it works in America because the amount of money a bank gives up ($5-$7k on average) per bank robbery is infinitely less than the amount of business they'd lose if shit got wild in a bank full of customers. Butch was capable of robbing a bank with nothing but a pistol, but his men have been caught before. The failed robbery and the resulting pursuit brought all of the Younger gang to heel, except the James brothers, who separated from the rest and fled to Missouri. He was arrested in Dayton, Ohio, transferred to the Allen County Jail, and escaped with the aid of gang members who dressed as Indiana policemen and killed Allen County, Sheriff Jess Sarber. Baron Lamm died, aged 40, after a botched bank robbery when his gang crashed their getaway car. ", "Walked in the bank and waited in line like a regular customer. He was arrested after being recognized during the robbery and sentenced to 10 to 20 years imprisonment, which was a very harsh sentence, indeed, for a first time offender. Boring thieves had tunnel visions - Los Angeles Times Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are among the most famous outlaws in history. You can reach David on Twitter @david_s_grant and his website www.pulpscribbler.com. A group of robbers of 6 people, led by a man named Amil Dinsio, committed an extremely interesting bank robbery on March 24, 1972 in California, USA. In January 1958, three brothers brandishing toy pistols robbed the Bank of Columbia in Columbia, Alabama. Alfred was separated from his brothers and died in custody at Kilby Prison in Alabama. He died after being shot by cops during a failed rescue attempt by his crew (Nash was on his way to prison). The newly formed group of escapees became the first Dillinger gang. When talking about famous thieves, one can't leave out Albert Spaggiari. May 6, 1925, Its an old up! Homer Van Meter was a young member of John Dillingers gang, with a reputation for being particularly bloodthirsty. The pair robbed numerous banks as well as some gas stations and stores in rural areas.

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