Robbing banks has been the primary career of many a hardened criminal. It’s fairly hard to determine why, since bank robberies are often easier than many other crimes to solve; especially today. But, I suppose the idea of getting such a large amount of money in one robbery has its appeal and glamour. Here are five of the most famous bank robbers in US history.
1. Bonnie and Clyde – Though two people, this couple must be listed together. Bonnie and Clyde were part of a robbery and killing spree in the 1920s that spread across the central US. They robbed a dozen or so banks, and several stores and gas stations, killing at least nine police officers during their spree. They gained a bit of a celebrity status for a while, as it appeared they couldn’t be caught. They were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in 1934 in Louisiana.
2. Willie “The Actor” Sutton –Willie Sutton was one of America’s most prolific bank robbers. During his 40 year career as a criminal, it is estimated that he stole more than $2 million. He robbed about a hundred banks between the 1920s until 1952 when he was arrested for the last time. He spent several stints in jail – he was a master at breaking out. Sutton never killed anyone during his criminal years, and admitted that when he robbed banks, his guns were not loaded.
3. Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd – Charles Floyd was an accomplished bank robber during the 1920s. He was nicknamed “Pretty Boy” because of his good looks. He started stealing at the age of 18 and was incarcerated by the age of 21. He spent five years in prison for a payroll robbery and continued his life of crime as soon as he was released. He was incarcerated again five years later for a bank robbery, but he escaped. Floyd was killed while being pursued by police officers in 1934. He was just 30 years old.
4. Patty Hearst – Patty Hearst was the granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, the famous publisher. She was kidnapped in 1974 from her Berkley, California apartment, at the age of 19, by the left wing guerilla group known as the Symbionese Liberation Army. Her kidnapping was purely to gain public attention. After months of being held hostage, Hearst proclaimed herself part of the group and changed her name to Tania. She then became part of the group’s bank robberies and was seen wielding an M1 carbine and shouting commands during robberies. She was convicted of bank robbery and sentenced to 35 years in prison despite expert testimony that she had been brainwashed while she was held captive. Her sentence was later commuted by President Jimmy Carter, and she served just 22 months in prison. President Bill Clinton granted her a full pardon.
5. Jesse James – Jesse James was truly the stuff stories are made from. He was a devoted family man, a bank robber and a cold blooded killer. James and his gang robbed numerous banks and trains. James gained celebrity status while he was alive, in part because of letters he wrote to John Newman Edwards, founder and editor of the Kansas City Times. Edwards published James’ letters and proclaimed his innocence. Jesse James and his gang’s capture became a top priority for law enforcement, who enlisted the Pinkerton Security Service to help them track James down. Ultimately, Jesse James was killed in his own home by Robert Ford, a member of his gang, who had begun working with authorities in order to gain the bounty that was on James’ head.
P. Zerkle blogs about getting a Master in Criminology.
