Wikimedia. Pretty Boy Floyd believed in having the right tool for the job, which is why he always brought his machine gun to a bank job. "One teller skimped out on me and didn't give me all I had asked for, and I told her, "You can do better than that." They were pursued by a hastily formed posse, and later by Pinkertons, but they eluded the chase. Modern day pop culture has kept the tradition alive with movies such as Point Break, HEAT and Reservoir Dogs. His means of robbing banks were never violent; in fact the machine gun he carried was empty. Green was held in the Middlesex County Jail until April 1866, when he was hanged for committing the United States first armed bank robbery, and for the crime of murder. The banks customers were shoved aside and gathered with the employees, all of them forced to lie on the floor while Barrow watched over them with the shotgun and Hamilton filled a sack with the cash from the drawers. ", "When my lawyer first brought all my paperwork to me, I noticed that the amount was $100 off for that particular bank. He began to associate with big time Kansas City mobsters. 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. However, he has reportedly already died and was never brought to justice. After numerous convictions were attained using his information he entered the Witness Protection Program. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. When talking about famous thieves, one can't leave out Albert Spaggiari. The gang soon became one of the most formidable in the country, brutally murdering anyone who stood in their way as they robbed banks, even innocent bystanders. In 1945 Sutton, along with 11 other prisoners, escaped from Eastern State in a prisoner-dug tunnel that went almost 100 feet . Here are our sources: The Canadian View of the Confederate Raid on Saint Albans. The crime spree started with the robbery of the South Marion State Bank in November 1924. As they were mounting their horses, shots rang out, and a nineteen-year-old college student was killed, evidently by a stray bullet. Though he's probably one of Texas's most famous outlaws, Sam Bass is widely regarded to have been a rather inept criminal. I told him I was 100% sure that they had the amount wrong. The robbers left with $6,700 in cash, unwittingly leaving behind another $9,000 safely hidden in file cabinets. In case you havent heard, theres a movie (1967 Arthur Penn film) that details the adventures of Bonnie and Clyde. The most famous line about robbing banks was coined by Willie Sutton when asked why he continued to rob banks: Because thats where the money is.. After many successful bank robberies and kidnappings, Davis was captured and charged with kidnapping. He was executed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in 2002, by lethal injection. It was one of the more successful bank robberies for Bonnie and Clyde, who preferred to rob grocery stores, gas stations, and other less lucrative targets. Again, right tool for the job, that makes sense. On February 13, 1866, a Tuesday, a group of riders rode into Liberty, Missouri. Cassidy didnt need much, just his crew and a reputation that bled intimidation. No deliberation. 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. Knightsbridge Security Deposit Robbery: The "Italian" Work. Here is a countdown of the 10 most famous robberies in history. Later, when Parker was visiting her mother, officers moved in to arrest her again, but Barrow and an associate gunned them down, committing what was Barrows first murder of a lawman. In 1984, the First National Bank of Chattanooga in Geronimo, Oklahoma, was the site of one of the most vicious bank robberies in American history on December 14 of that year. There has to be some disappointment that comes with getting caught because cameras picked up the license plate of a stolen getaway car. In 1879, Jesse returned to crime, with a new gang he engaged in a string of robberies in Missouri, Mississippi, and Louisiana, though Frank had by then given up the life of robberies and running. Published Tue, Jul 31 2012 12:33 PM EDT Updated Fri, Sep 13 . The Lord never seeks re- election. The Bank of Montpelier/Facebook. The two stormed into the casino, held everyone at gunpoint and tied up several of the casino staff. I never told anyone what I was doing. The duo and their gang went on to rob numerous other stores and banks before their downfall. A crowd gathers at Chicagos Biograph theater after the death of John Dillinger, July 22, 1934. As a young man he enlisted in the US Navy, but was dishonorably discharged after he deserted. For instance, he has robbed banks dressed as a maintenance man, a postman and a police officer. An estimated $5. RCDSA. The Banco Central burglary Stolen: $71.6 million. 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. His demise finally came when he attended the Biograph Theatre, in Chicago. The World Trade Center employees had already been subdued. So many classic movies have been made with the premise of a bank robbery, many based on the jobs pulled from people on this list. The exact number of men who entered the town and gathered together in front of the Clay County Savings Association differs; according to accounts it was anywhere from ten to fourteen. It was 12:38 in the afternoon on January 13, 2006, when the call went out to police: a bank robbery in progress. At the time of his death, he was 31 years old. Clipping from the Minneapolis Tribune, March 14, 1934. He aligned himself with Baby Face Nelson and Tommy Carroll to rob a Michigan bank, escaping with $30,000. Ted P. Yeatman. 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. Cassidy ordered the bank vault's location and made away with a box full of money amounting to more than twenty thousand dollars. 9 Million was stolen (which translates to $21.6 Million today). FBI. Dillinger and his gang began a spree of bank robberies across Indiana, accumulating over $300,000 in total. 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. 5. ; Arrest the Culprit Green. The New York Times. The Wild Bunch favored robbing trains, hoping to avoid shootouts in the aftermath of a robbery, and it has been falsely reported that during their career the gang never killed anyone in the course of one of their crimes. Insane, huh? Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker left a trail of dead lawmen and bystanders in their wake during their crime spree of robbery and murder. On that Friday morning, after months of planning two armed bank robbers entered and robbed the North Hollywood Bank of America branch in California. Rebecca Seales, The Daily Mail. Nelson also demonstrated a propensity for violence and committed his first known murder during a botched tavern robbery. 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. Dillinger buried his friend at the home of Volney Davis and Edna Murray. Sutton later answered the question, after admitting he never said the famous quote: Why did I rob banks? Its funny how a lot of bank robbers never wear disguises anymore. Jesse James robbed many banks and killed several men, but his legend overshadows his true history. 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. J.D. May 2, 2004, Frank and Jesse James: The Story Behind the Legend. Several weeks later the police caught up to Andreoli in a Chester, PA diner where he was shot dead. Descriptions of some of the robbers led to arrests and authorities learned of plans for further robberies during interrogations, but the police were unable to locate the ringleader of the group, Harry Pierpont. Robbing a bank is the ultimate risk and reward, full of thrills, hard cash and consequences if caught. I studied countless reports of other robberies that had gone wrong and people who were caught. Stolen: $20 million - $50 million. He fled into an apple orchard where he was shot and killed. J.L. A legend of the Wild West, in addition to robbing banks James was an expert train robber, because if you cant get your kicks robbing banks then try to steal from something that is moving! He was a master of disguise who often impersonated a postal telegraph messenger, police . ", "Walked in the bank and waited in line like a regular customer. He spent his time planning heists with his new found friends, that they would commit shortly after being released. Jesse was murdered there by Bob Ford in 1882 in St. Joseph. 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 Rich Hill Tribune, August 19, 1909. It happened in Pennsylvania, in the Bank of Pennsylvania at Carpenters' Hall. In early October 1864, former soldiers of the Confederacy who had fled to Canada began to gather in the small town of Saint Albans, Vermont. In the end Sutton worked as a security consultant for banks. The shootout began in the parking lot of the Security Pacific Bank, where one robber was killed, leading the others to steal a car in the lot and lead police on a 25-mile chase. When he was paroled he vowed to never see the inside of another prison. Green was the local postmaster and was of course well known to nearly all of the towns citizens, including Frank. Turns out she was talking with her accomplice, a boyfriend driving the getaway car outside the banks. Amazingly, they were never caught. In August he robbed another, in Bluffton, Ohio. People worth millions dont typically get involved in robbing banks (unless of course that is how you made your millions). The post-war violence between the former Confederate supporters and Unionists led to him being a popular figure among the former, despite the frequency and violence of his crimes. They killed at least nine people during their spree, including civilians. It was the largest amount ever stolen from a bank in U.S. history. Maybe it was how they asked for the money, their appearance or getaway. Knightsbridge Security Deposit Robbery of $98 Million, 1987. Alfred was separated from his brothers and died in custody at Kilby Prison in Alabama. Volney Davis was the boyfriend of Edna rabbits Murray. Nelson remained on the run with his wife, usually staying at the auto camps which were common in the 1930s. Often several different gangs occupied it simultaneously, though they did not coordinate their various nefarious activities. Wikimedia. Hamilton was at the top of the public enemy list, whilst Dillinger and associate Harry Pierpoint were imprisoned. Police caught him 15 minutes later with the knife and 410 in cash stolen from a Tesco in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Williams and his gang were known for being able to do bank jobs in under a minute. Despite FFR1000 charged, she's an art student with day jobs e.g. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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. 8. If you ever got robbed by John Dillinger you knew it because he would have told you so. The first time he was serving a 30 year sentence for robbery, he used a smuggled gun to hold a prison guard hostage, before using a ladder to scale the prison wall. Historians have labelled the 1930s as the Public Enemy era; a time when a small minority of criminals stood out as being particularly notorious and were hunted determinedly by the police and FBI. Whilst in prison he tried to escape with another prisoner. In June 1986, bank officials opened for business on a Monday morning to find a 20-by-25-inch hole in the bottom of the vault, deposit boxes strewn all over the floor and about $172,000 in cash . At the time, it was described as "the crime of the century." The gang gained entry to the warehouse from security guard Anthony Black. After ensuring that the teenager was alone in the bank, Green shot him in the back of the head and left with about $5,000. He died at the age of 52 of throat cancer, and his body was found dumped outside his mother . After this, Nelson began to rob banks with Homer Van Meter and Eddie Green. Limerick joined the Maurice Denning gang in 1934, and their spree of heists . I loved it. No referenda as to which road to take. Floyds support from the public was especially evident in Oklahoma, where residents sheltered and protected him, in return for financial largesse, an eventuality which infuriated J. Edgar Hoover. 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. Taking place in Tokyo, it was the greatest bank job in the history of Japan. 7. . They often took photographs of themselves posing together with the weapons they used during armed robberies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? The next day, the depot was robbed. 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. Their point of entry was a tunnel they dug from the sewers. Most Famous Thieves in History: 1. The young men produced shotguns and ordered the chief cashier, a man named Birge, and his aides to hand over all available cash. Volney Davis. The remaining three were taken into custody. After the Kansas City massacre, in which three police officers and an FBI agent were killed when escorting Frank Nash during a change of custody (Nash was also killed), Pretty Boy Floyd was named by the FBI as one of the gunmen. $5 Million of it was stolen in cash while $875,000 was in Jewels and at the time of the crime made it the largest cash robbery to happen in American History. "They just want to give you what you want and for you to get the hell out of their bank.". A mere boy a pretty boy with apple cheeks.. When Guarino was identified as the leader of the robbery he was taken into custody at his home on Staten Island, and within a few days he arranged to work as an informant, transferring information to the FBI and New York authorities on the activities of his various mob contacts. Although rumored to have been a nice guy, he murdered his partner, Nollie Humpy Wortman, after they completed a job. 1. . Karpis was raised in Kansas and began associating with criminals from an early age. When it comes to weapons, 44.8% of robbers used strong-arm tactics, 36.4% used firearms, and 8.5% used knives or cutting instruments. Train robberies. Whether armed with guns, coordinated with a gang or using explosives, anything was on the table if it meant leaving the building with bags of money. It was she who labeled him as having a baby face and the sobriquet Baby Face Nelson was quickly bandied about in the press of the day when describing his crimes. Cassidy was the ring leader of the gang known as the Wild Bunch, a group of Wild West criminals that loved to stick up banks, rob trains and then (presumably) drink whiskey and fight in saloons. 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. Frank Nash knocked over 200 banks in his time and is known by many as the most successful bank robber of all time. Jesse James was a ruthless bank robber whowas so confident in his work he would leave behind press releases of his recent crimes. James was not positively identified by any witnesses (though he was well known in the area), and none of the money was ever recovered. It's almost a nostalgic thing. Sutton was the Cal Ripken of bank robbers, participating in over 100 bank robberies over a 35-year span. Theodore J. Conrad pulled off one of the biggest bank robberies in Cleveland's history. It was to be delivered to a local . But what the terrified customers and police didn't know was that the bold robbery was merely a carefully crafted distraction to keep . These gangsters graduated into armed robbers and became known as the Tape Bandits, of which Nelson was a respected member. While it's too early to say whether the Berlin coin robbery will go down in history like the following 10 unsolved heists, it definitely fits the bill as an interesting crime caper. On September 19, 1900, members of the Wild Bunch entered the town of Winnemucca, Nevada. Homer Van Meter was a young member of John Dillingers gang, with a reputation for being particularly bloodthirsty. In the early afternoon of April 12, 1957, Steven Ray Thomas and Wanda DiCenzi entered the St. Clair Savings and Loan in Cleveland, and while Steven held a teller at gunpoint Wanda stole about $2,000 from the cash drawers, and the two made their escape, driven from the scene by a third accomplice, Rose ODonnell. The robbers were armed with rifles, handguns, and shotguns. 3. 1. He is estimated to have robbed over 100 banks, stealing around $2 million. The safety deposit raid in 1971 is one of the most baffling in British criminal history, and rumours that its true purpose has been covered up by the British establishment . Journalist Smith (Now Go to Hell) delivers a rollicking portrait of his cousin Daniel David Courson, the scion of a prominent evangelical Christian family who is also a notorious bank robber.According to Smith, the Coursons are "a gilded evangelical Christian Camelot," with members serving as megachurch pastors and missionaries in California and Oregon and . No one pulled off more armed robberies in New York since Mikhaylich started his holiday spree in 2009. ", On the final job that didn't go as planned, "The teller freaked out as soon as I turned to leave the bank. Baron Lamm died, aged 40, after a botched bank robbery when his gang crashed their getaway car. Sam Bass 1851-1878. 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. There was some armed resistance from the citizens of the town, and gunfire was exchanged leading to one townsman being killed and another wounded, with one of the raiders, wounded as well. The bells notified law enforcement of a robbery taking place in the bank, and often caused the robbers to flee without obtaining any, or at least not very much, cash for their efforts. Shootouts. The story is unsupported by evidence and was probably created by Floyd, who hated the nickname Pretty Boy. "Only the Internet. The suspect's disappearance was a mystery that lasted 52 years - a few months longer than he did. The riders escaped pursuit by a posse. On a Friday in 1976, Spaggiari led a team of 20 men into the bank vault. 1986 FBI Miami shootout, deadly shootout between FBI and two bank robbers. I enjoyed everything about it so much that one or two weeks later Id be out looking for the next job. Photo: Stanislav Kozlovskiy / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0. FBI. After the United States government protested to the British authorities the raiders were arrested in Canada and the money seized. It's hard to regret something that has turned into something so good.". His case was eventually thrown out . The pair and their group were famous for carrying thefts from trains and banks. When a man going by the name Brushy Bill Roberts (above, left) surfaced in Texas in 1950 seeking pardon for the crimes of Billy the Kid, the media took notice. The Brink's-MAT robbery occurred on November 26th, 1983, when six robbers broke into the Brink's-MAT warehouse at Heathrow Airport, London. He was paroled in 1932, and began to commit small time robberies with Parker. 5. The victim said: He was good looking, hardly more than a boy. The robbery was led by the notorious likes of outlaw Butch Cassidy and his sidekicks. Feb 14, 1864, Missouri Bank Cashes In on Jesse James.