Dillinger Gang
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| Founded | 1933 |
|---|---|
| Founder | John Dillinger |
| Founding location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Years active | 2 |
| Territory | Midwestern United States |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Membership | 9 |
| Leader(s) | John Dillinger |
| Criminal activities | Bank robberies, money laundering, and murder |
| Rivals | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
The Dillinger Gang was the name given to a crew of American Depression-era bank robbers led by John Dillinger and included other famous gangsters of the period, such as Baby Face Nelson. The gang was noted for a successful string of bank robberies, using modern tools and tactics, in the Midwestern United States from September 1933 to July 1934. During the execution of these crimes, the gang killed 10 men and wounded 7 more. During this period they also performed three escapes from jail that resulted in the death of a sheriff and the wounding of two guards.
The increasing use of modern law enforcement techniques by the newly strengthened Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led to the destruction of the gang. Many of its members were killed or imprisoned. Most notably, the FBI killed Dillinger in 1934 when he exited a movie theatre.
The gang employed military-inspired tactics taught to them in prison by men such as Herman Lamm. Tactics included the use of roles during the robbery: Lookout, getaway driver, lobby man and vault man. Gang members had modern weapons like the Thompson submachine gun and also had bullet proof vests.
Lamm is credited with creating the first detailed getaway maps, known as "gits", to improve the chances for escape after the robbery. Powerful vehicles, like Ford coupes with a V8 engine, at the scene of the crime were known as "work cars" but were discarded after the crime to foil eye-witness reports given to police. Gangsters made use of caches of gasoline for their getaway cars as well as medical kits to treat injuries.
To obtain more supplies, the gang attacked the state police arsenals in Auburn and Peru, stealing machine guns, rifles, revolvers, ammunition and bulletproof vests. On October 23, 1933, the gang robbed the Central National Bank & Trust Company in Greencastle, Indiana, making off with $74,802. They then headed to Chicago to hide out.
The gang traveled to Racine, Wisconsin and robbed the American Bank and Trust Company, making off with $28,000. On December 14, 1933, CPD Detective William Shanley was killed. The police had been put on high alert and suspected the Dillinger gang of involvement in the robbery of the Unity Trust And Savings Bank of $8,700 the day before. The robbery was eventually determined to have been the work of another outfit. Shanley was following up on a tip that one of the gang's cars was being serviced at a local garage. John "Red" Hamilton showed up at the garage that afternoon. When Shanley approached him, Hamilton pulled a pistol and shot him twice, killing Shanley, then escaped. Shanley's murder led to the Chicago Police Department's establishment of a forty-man "Dillinger Squad."
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Wikipedia