Willie Sutton robbed his first bank while disguised as a Western Union messenger. After additional robberies two months later, he was caught and sentenced to Sing Sing prison which he escaped and then moved to Philadelphia. Arrested again on February 5, 1934 he was sentenced to serve 25 to 50 years in Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. On April 3, 1945, Sutton was with 12 other prisoners who escaped through a tunnel. Sutton was caught the same day by Philadelphia police officers. It was his fourth time getting arrested and he was sentenced to life in prison.
On February 10, 1947, he and other prisoners dressed up as prison guards and escaped over the prison wall. On March 20, 1950, Willie was added to the FBI’s list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Because of Willie's love for expensive clothing, a tailor’s son recognized him and followed him to a gas station. The man reported it to the police who then arrested Sutton. Sutton denied all robberies and other crimes they said he committed since his 1947 escape from Philadelphia County Prison. Sutton owed a life sentence plus an additional 105 years. He was given another 30 years to life after a jury trial. After 17 years, New York State penal authorities decided that he shouldn’t serve two life sentences and 105 years. He was sick with emphysema and had displayed good behavior in prison. In 1969, he was 68 and was released from Attica State Prison. On November 2, 1980, Willie Sutton died at the age of 79.
On February 10, 1947, he and other prisoners dressed up as prison guards and escaped over the prison wall. On March 20, 1950, Willie was added to the FBI’s list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Because of Willie's love for expensive clothing, a tailor’s son recognized him and followed him to a gas station. The man reported it to the police who then arrested Sutton. Sutton denied all robberies and other crimes they said he committed since his 1947 escape from Philadelphia County Prison. Sutton owed a life sentence plus an additional 105 years. He was given another 30 years to life after a jury trial. After 17 years, New York State penal authorities decided that he shouldn’t serve two life sentences and 105 years. He was sick with emphysema and had displayed good behavior in prison. In 1969, he was 68 and was released from Attica State Prison. On November 2, 1980, Willie Sutton died at the age of 79.