Bank robbery has long held a captivating, albeit dark, place in American history and folklore. From the daring horseback bandits of the Old West to the machine-gun wielding gangsters of the Prohibition and Depression eras, these audacious criminals challenged law enforcement and often became anti-heroes in the public imagination. Defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as taking or attempting to take property through force or implied force, bank robbery remains a serious federal crime, yet the stories of those who committed it continue to fascinate. This article delves into the lives and legacies of America’s most infamous bank robbers and the gangs they led.
Early American Bank Robbery: Legends of the Wild West
While the provided list primarily focuses on later eras, it’s essential to acknowledge the foundational figures in American bank robbery history. The Wild West gave rise to some of the earliest and most romanticized outlaws. Figures like the James-Younger Gang, led by Jesse James, and Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang, became legendary for their audacious train and bank heists. These early bank robbers often operated in a landscape where law enforcement was sparse, relying on speed, intimidation, and local sympathies to evade capture. Their exploits set a precedent for the criminal careers that would follow in the 20th century, cementing the image of the daring outlaw.
The Roaring Twenties and Depression Era: A Golden Age for Outlaws
The economic hardship of the Great Depression and the social upheaval of the Prohibition era created fertile ground for a new wave of organized crime and notorious bank robbers. With increased bank deposits and more sophisticated getaways possible, these criminals escalated the scale and violence of their operations, frequently engaging in shootouts with police and the nascent FBI.
John Dillinger and His Terror Gang
Perhaps the most famous bank robber of his time, John Herbert “Jackrabbit” Dillinger (1903-1934) captivated the nation with his daring escapes and relentless bank heists. Leading the Dillinger Gang, also known as The Terror Gang (1933-1934), he and his associates—including formidable figures like Baby Face Nelson, Homer Van Meter, and John Hamilton—spread terror across the Midwest. Responsible for robbing as many as 20 banks and the murders of several police officers, Dillinger became Public Enemy #1. His ability to escape jail twice further cemented his legendary status until he was ultimately ambushed and killed by the FBI in 1934.
Bonnie and Clyde: The Romanticized Criminals
Though less detailed in the source, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow represent another iconic duo of the Depression era. Their crime spree involved numerous bank robberies and murders, often accompanied by sensationalized media coverage that painted them as tragic, romantic figures, despite their violent actions.
The Barker-Karpis Gang: Public Enemies
The Barker-Karpis Gang (1931-1935) was another formidable criminal enterprise that terrorized the Midwest. Led by the sons of Kate “Ma” Barker (1873-1935), Herman, Lloyd, Arthur, and Fred, along with Alvin Karpis, they committed a spree of robberies, kidnappings, and other heinous crimes. Ma Barker herself, though debated to be a mastermind or merely a figurehead, became notorious. Her son, Arthur R. “Doc” Barker (1899-1939), was a key member before being killed trying to escape Alcatraz. This ruthless gang eventually reached the top of the FBI’s Most Wanted List, exemplifying the era’s widespread criminal activity.
Other Notorious Figures and Gangs of the Era
- George “Machine Gun” Kelly Barnes (1900-1954): A Prohibition-era criminal whose exploits included bootlegging, armed robbery, and kidnapping. He eventually died in federal prison.
- Charles Authur “Pretty Boy” Floyd (1904-1934): A bank robber and alleged killer often romanticized by the press. He was involved with the Cookson Hills Gang, which blazed a path of robbery and murder across several states. Floyd was a suspect in the Kansas City Massacre and was ultimately killed by law enforcement.
- Harvey John Bailey (1887-1979): Considered one of the most successful bank robbers of the 1920s, stealing over a million dollars. He was also thought to be involved in the Kansas City Union Station Massacre and spent 31 years in prison.
- The Newton Brothers: Four of the five Newton brothers were infamous for their distinctive method of robbing banks at night, using nitroglycerin to blow open safes, then quickly disappearing. They often cased locations for days, showcasing a blend of meticulous planning and explosive action.
- George “Dutch” Anderson (1879-1925): A Danish criminal who co-led a Prohibition-era gang, successfully robbing a U.S. Mail truck of $2.4 million. He met his end in a police shootout after escaping prison.
- Edward “Eddie” Wilheim Bentz (1895-1936): Partnered with Machine Gun Kelly and Baby Face Nelson, Bentz was known as one of the shrewdest and most dangerous bank robbers of the Depression era.
- George Birdwell (1894-1932): A partner of Pretty Boy Floyd, known for robbing multiple banks in Oklahoma.
- Ford Bradshaw (1908-1934): Leader of the Cookson Hills Gang, suspected of numerous bank robberies and four murders before being killed by a constable. His brother, Tom “Skeet” Bradshaw, was also a member.
- Al Brady (1911-1937): Wanted for murder and robbery, killed by FBI agents in Maine.
- Robert Carey (1894-1932): A Midwestern armed robber and contract killer, suspected in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
- James “Oklahoma Jack” Clark: A protégé of Hermann “Baron” Lamm, he participated in a final fatal robbery against the Citizens State Bank in Clinton, Indiana, leading to his capture.
- Benny and Stella Dickson: A husband-and-wife team who stole over $50,000 in an eight-month period in the late 1930s.
- The Fleagle Gang: An early 20th-century group of bank robbers and murderers led by Jake Fleagle (1890-1930), who was killed in a gunfight with police.
- Roy Gardner (1884-1940): Stole over a quarter of a million dollars and was renowned as an escape artist and celebrated outlaw.
- Floyd Garland Hamilton (1908-1984): An associate of the Barrow Gang who continued a life of crime and was sent to Alcatraz after his capture.
- John “Red” Hamilton, aka Three Finger Jack (1899-1934): An associate of John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd, he died from wounds sustained in an FBI gun battle.
- Raymond Elzie Hamilton, aka Floyd Beatty (1913-1935): Another associate of the Barrow Gang and a well-known desperado.
- Charles E. Johnson: An FBI Most Wanted fugitive who committed burglaries and robberies for decades.
- Anthony Michael Juliano: Responsible for at least 27 bank robberies in Boston and New York between 1973 and 1975, showcasing that bank robbery persisted beyond the classic eras.
- George Kimes and Matthew Kimes (??-1945): Oklahoma bank robbers and brothers. Matthew led the Kimes Gang and was involved in the murder of a deputy sheriff.
- Hermann K. “Baron” Lamm (1890-1930): A former German army officer who applied military precision to his bank robberies across the United States, until his death in a shootout.
Alcatraz: The Ultimate Lockup for Bank Robbers
For the most dangerous and unrepentant criminals, particularly bank robbers with a history of violence and escape, the federal penitentiary on Alcatraz Island became the ultimate destination. Known for its maximum-security measures, Alcatraz housed many of the era’s most infamous figures.
Daring Escapes and Tragic Ends from the Rock
- John William Anglin and Alfred Clarence Anglin: These Georgia bank robbers were sent to Alcatraz in 1956 and famously escaped in June 1962, along with Frank Lee Morris. They were never seen again, and their fate remains one of America’s enduring mysteries.
- Frank Lee Morris (1926-??): An exceptionally intelligent individual, Morris was key to the 1962 Alcatraz escape with the Anglin brothers. His ingenuity in planning the escape made him one of the most remarkable figures associated with the island prison.
- Joseph Paul Cretzer (1911-1946): A West Coast bank robber and once the FBI’s 4th most wanted man. Cretzer was killed during the infamous “Battle of Alcatraz” in 1946, a violent escape attempt that highlighted the prison’s brutal reality.
- Arthur R. “Doc” Barker: As mentioned, this member of the Barker-Karpis Gang was shot and killed while attempting to escape from Alcatraz in 1939.
- Other notable Alcatraz inmates who were bank robbers include Lloyd Barkdoll, James Boarman (killed during a 1943 escape attempt), Harold Brest (participated in a 1943 escape attempt), Rufus Franklin (killed a custodial worker during a 1938 escape attempt), James C. “Tex” Lucas, and Rufe Persful. Their presence at Alcatraz underscores the federal government’s determined efforts to contain the era’s most formidable criminals.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Bank Robbery
The stories of American bank robbers, from the Wild West to the mid-20th century, form a compelling chapter in the nation’s history of crime and punishment. While often romanticized in popular culture, the reality for most of these individuals was one of violence, fear, and ultimately, capture, imprisonment, or death. The increasing professionalism of law enforcement, particularly the rise of the FBI, meant that the heyday of the audacious, long-running crime spree eventually came to an end. Yet, the tales of figures like John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, and the Anglin brothers continue to fascinate, reminding us of a turbulent past where outlaws briefly captured the public’s imagination before inevitably facing the consequences of their actions.
