Willie Sutton grew up in Brooklyn, New York. After leaving school at the end of the 8th grade, he went to go find work. Willie had various jobs with the longest one lasting 18 months. Willie’s early criminal career gained him reputation as a well-dressed gentleman. His answer to why he robbed banks was simple, “Because that’s where the money is.”
On February 15th 1933, Willie and an accomplice decided to try and rob the Corn Exchange Bank and Trust Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He disguised himself as a mailman to gain access to the bank. The plan was ruined by a curious passerby who happened to notice what they were doing. A year later, Willie tried the same plan and was successful. He and two others went into the bank through a skylight and successfully handcuffed all employees and put them in a small room. Willie used a telegraph messenger disguise to also rob the Broadway jewelry store in broad daylight.
Although Willie was a renowned bank robber, he was charged in 1931 for assault and robbery. He was sentenced to 30 years but escaped the prison by scaling the prison wall with two, nine-foot ladders connected together. In 1934, Willie was caught by the police and sentenced to 25-50 years in Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1945 Willie and eleven other inmates escaped through a tunnel but were later caught that day by the Philadelphia police. After being caught he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Philadelphia County Prison.
After escaping again in 1947 by dressing as prison guards, he was put on the FBI’s most wanted list and was later tracked down in 1952 after purchasing a car battery at a gas station. After being caught, he did not resist arrest and a jury trial was arranged at Queen’s County Court. He owed a life sentence in addition to 105 years. The New York authorities decided 17 years later that he did not have to serve the full sentence and was free to go.
On February 15th 1933, Willie and an accomplice decided to try and rob the Corn Exchange Bank and Trust Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He disguised himself as a mailman to gain access to the bank. The plan was ruined by a curious passerby who happened to notice what they were doing. A year later, Willie tried the same plan and was successful. He and two others went into the bank through a skylight and successfully handcuffed all employees and put them in a small room. Willie used a telegraph messenger disguise to also rob the Broadway jewelry store in broad daylight.
Although Willie was a renowned bank robber, he was charged in 1931 for assault and robbery. He was sentenced to 30 years but escaped the prison by scaling the prison wall with two, nine-foot ladders connected together. In 1934, Willie was caught by the police and sentenced to 25-50 years in Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1945 Willie and eleven other inmates escaped through a tunnel but were later caught that day by the Philadelphia police. After being caught he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Philadelphia County Prison.
After escaping again in 1947 by dressing as prison guards, he was put on the FBI’s most wanted list and was later tracked down in 1952 after purchasing a car battery at a gas station. After being caught, he did not resist arrest and a jury trial was arranged at Queen’s County Court. He owed a life sentence in addition to 105 years. The New York authorities decided 17 years later that he did not have to serve the full sentence and was free to go.