Willie Sutton (1901–80,) fully William Francis Sutton Jr., was an American bank robber known for elaborate disguises and strategic heists. Over a 40-year career, he stole an estimated $2 million, earning the nicknames “Willie the Actor” and “Slick Willie” for impersonating policemen, postal workers, and maintenance staff. His legacy endures through “Sutton’s Law,” which suggests focusing on the most obvious source of a problem.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sutton grew up in an Irish-American family and left school after eighth grade. Despite his reputation, he never killed anyone, relying on deception, careful planning, and non-violent methods.
Arrested multiple times, he escaped prison three times, including a daring 1947 tunnel escape from Philadelphia County Prison. He was captured in 1952 after a citizen recognized him in a newspaper photo.
His autobiography, Where the Money Was: The Memoirs of a Bank Robber (1976,) co-written with Edward Linn, details his crimes, escapes, and reflections on justice. Sutton later worked as a bank security consultant, ironically advising financial institutions on robbery prevention.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Willie Sutton
It is a rather pleasant experience to be alone in a bank at night.
—Willie Sutton
Topics: Loneliness, Crime
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