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John Dillinger Facts

John Dillinger Facts
John Dillinger was a famous American gangster from the 1930s Depression-era accused of robbing 24 banks and killing a police officer that shot at Dillinger first. He was born John Herbert Dillinger on June 22nd, 1903 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to John Wilson Dillinger, a grocer, and Mary Ellen Lancaster. John's mother died before he turned four and he was raised by his older sister for several years until his dad remarried. John Dillinger got into trouble often as a teenager, and quit school to work. His father moved the family out of the city to Mooresville but Dillinger's behaviour escalated. John Dillinger joined the U.S. Navy and was eventually dishonourably discharged. After marrying and not being able to find a job, Dillinger turned to robbing banks and his legacy of crime began - leading to the eventual title of "Public Enemy No. 1."
Interesting John Dillinger Facts:
John Dillinger married Beryl Ethel Hovious in Mooresville and married her on in 1924.
John Dillinger robbed a grocery store in 1924 while carrying a .32 caliber pistol and a large handkerchief-wrapped bolt. He attacked the grocer but the grocer fought back and Dillinger ran. He was later arrested and sentenced to 10 to 20 years.
While in prison at the Indiana State Reformatory he met future co-criminals Homer Van Meter and Harry Pierpont.
In 1929 John Dillinger's wife Beryl divorced him, leaving him heart broken.
Dillinger's bitterness resulted in a parole denial. He was granted a transfer to Michigan City Prison, where he met Walter Dietrich, a seasoned bank robber.
While in prison Dillinger and his future accomplices made plans to rob banks upon release. Dillinger managed to be granted parole because his step mother was gravely ill.
While on parole Dillinger began to rob banks, and was arrested while visiting Mary Longnaker in Ohio. He was sprung by his accomplices in Lima, Ohio.
John Dillinger and his accomplices robbed several Midwest banks beginning late in 1933 and well into 1934.
The Dillinger gang robbed banks in a very theatrical manner, posing as alarm system reps, and film crews to gain access. They began to gain a glamorous reputation and the law began to look very inept.
The Chicago Police Department established the 'Dillinger Squad', a group of seasoned officers, to hunt the robbers down.
While robbing the First National Bank in East Chicago an officer shot at Dillinger. Dillinger shot back, and the officer died. Dillinger was set to stand trial but escaped.
The FBI got involved when Dillinger crossed state lines with a stolen vehicle. That crime was a felony.
J. Edgar Hoover was head of the FBI at the time, and a failed attempt to arrest the gang at a lodge led to Dillinger going underground.
Dillinger made his final bank robbery on June 30th, 1934. The bank was Merchant's National Bank, located in South Bend, Indiana.
Dillinger's friend Anna Sage, a Romanian immigrant and prostitute, turned him in to avoid deportation.
John Dillinger was shot on July 22nd, 1934 while leaving the Biograph, a movie theater, by agent Purvis.
The government spent more money trying to capture John Dillinger than he ever stole. It is estimated that John Dillinger made away with approximately $500,000 ($7 million today) while the government spent $2 million ($28 million today) trying to catch him.


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