Willie Sutton Essay, Research Paper

Willie Sutton

Born on June 30, 1901, in Brooklyn, New York, Willie Sutton was the 4th of five kids. He attended school through 8th class, so left place to procure a occupation. Sutton & # 8217 ; s employment included occupations as a clerk, a driller and a nurseryman. His longest uninterrupted employment lasted 18 months. Sutton was married in 1929, but his married woman divorced him after he was incarcerated. He remarried in 1933. Before his decease, Sutton co-authored & # 8220 ; I, Willie Sutton & # 8221 ; and & # 8220 ; Where the Money Was. & # 8221 ;

Willie Sutton acquired two monikers, & # 8220 ; The Actor & # 8221 ; and & # 8220 ; Slick Willie, & # 8221 ; for his inventiveness in put to deathing robberies in assorted camouflages. Fond of expensive apparels, Sutton was described as being an immaculate chest of drawers. Although he was a bank robber, Sutton had the repute of a gentleman ; in fact, people present at his robberies stated he was rather polite. One victim said witnessing one of Sutton & # 8217 ; s robberies was like being at the films, except the Ussher had a gun. When asked why he robbed Bankss, Sutton merely replied, & # 8220 ; Because that & # 8217 ; s where the money is. & # 8221 ;

On February 15, 1933, Sutton and a Confederate attempted to rob the Corn Exchange Bank and Trust Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sutton, disguised as a postman, entered the bank early in the forenoon. The wonder of a passer-by caused the robbery effort to be abandoned. However, on January 15, 1934 Sutton entered the same bank with two comrades through a fanlight. When the watcher arrived, they forced him to acknowledge the employees as usual. Each employee was handcuffed and crowded into a little room.

Sutton besides executed a Broadway jewellery shop robbery in wide daytime, portraying a postal telegraph courier. Sutton & # 8217 ; s other camouflages included a police officer, courier and care adult male. He normally arrived at the Bankss or shops somewhat before they opened for the twenty-four hours.

Besides being known as an advanced robber, Sutton recommitted in June, 1931, on charges assault and robbery. Sentenced to 30 old ages, he escaped on December 11, 1932, by scaling the prison wall on two 9-foot subdivisions of ladder that were joined together.

Sutton was

apprehended on February 5, 1934, and was sentenced to function 25 to 50 old ages in Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the machine gun robbery of the Corn Exchange Bank. On April 3, 1945, Sutton was one of 12 inmates who escaped the establishment through a tunnel. Sutton was recaptured the same twenty-four hours by Philadelphia constabulary officers ; this had been his 5th flight effort at this prison.

Sentenced to life imprisonment as a 4th clip wrongdoer, Sutton was transferred to the Philadelphia County Prison, Homesburg, Pennsylvania. On February 10, 1947, Sutton and other captives dressed as prison guards. The work forces carried two ladders across the prison pace to the wall after dark. When the prison & # 8217 ; s searchlights hit him, Sutton yelled, & # 8220 ; It & # 8217 ; s okay, & # 8221 ; and no 1 stopped him.

On March 20, 1950, Willie & # 8220 ; The Actor & # 8221 ; Sutton was added to the FBI & # 8217 ; s list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Because of his love for expensive apparels, Sutton & # 8217 ; s exposure was given to seamsters every bit good as constabulary sections. A 24-year-old seamster & # 8217 ; s boy recognized Sutton on the New York metro on February 18, 1952, and follow him to a local gas station where Sutton purchased a battery for his auto. The adult male reported the incident to the constabulary who subsequently arrested Sutton.

Sutton did non defy his apprehension by New York City Police, but denied any robberies or other offenses since his 1947 flight from Philadelphia County Prison. At the clip of his apprehension, Sutton owed one life sentence plus 105 old ages. He was farther sentenced to an extra 30 old ages to life in New York State Prison following a jury test in Queens County Court.

Seventeen old ages subsequently, the New York State penal governments decided that Sutton did non hold to function two life sentences and 105 old ages. Sutton was badly ; he had emphysema and was fixing for a major operation on arterias in his legs. On Christmas Eve, 1969, 68-year-old Sutton was released from Attica State Prison. Ironically, in 1970, Sutton did a telecasting commercial to advance the New Britain, Connecticut, Bank and Trust Company & # 8217 ; s new exposure recognition card plan. On November 2, 1980, Willie Sutton died in Spring Hill, Florida, at the age of 79.

322