"Public Enemy No. 1" Escapes: The Daring Jailbreaks of John Dillinger
In March 1934, famed bank robber John Dillinger was locked up facing murder charges when he pulled off one of the most daring jailbreaks in history
Background
In late 1924, future “Public Enemy No. 1” John Dillinger was convicted of assault and battery with intent to rob for his role in the robbery of a Mooresville, Indiana grocery store. During the robbery, Dillinger struck the store’s proprietor in the head with a heavy tool.
As they fled the store, Dillinger and his accomplice were recognized, and he was promptly arrested and convicted for the crime. Dillinger was advised by his father to plead guilty, believing that would lead to a reduced sentence.
Instead, Dillinger was sentenced to ten to twenty years in Indiana State Prison. Dillinger and his family were devastated. His father later said he regretted giving his son the advice he did.
Over the next nine years, Dillinger learned the ins and outs of crime and robbery. Social by nature, Dillinger made several connections with inmates who would become key members of the “Dillinger Gang.”
Some of these friends included hardened bank robbers like Harry Pierpont and Homer Van Meter, who would later become Dillinger Gang members. Van Meter schooled Dillinger on the art of planning heists.
When John Dillinger entered prison in 1924, he was a wayward and rebellious youth. When he was finally paroled in 1933, he left prison a hardened criminal with a deep determination never to go back.
Release and First Robberies
In May 1933, Dillinger was paroled after serving nearly ten years behind bars. Making up for lost time, Dillinger hit the ground running. In late June, less than six weeks after his release, he robbed a bank in New Carlisle, Ohio.
Less than two months later, he robbed a bank in Bluffton, Ohio. He was tracked and captured by police and detained at the Allen County jail in Lima, Ohio.
When he was searched, police discovered a paper in his possession that appeared to be a prison escape plan. Dillinger was questioned about the suspicious document, but he refused to cooperate.
Escape Artist
In addition to learning the finer points of bank robbery while incarcerated at ISP, Dillinger also learned about successful escape techniques. In a twist of fate, it had been Dillinger, along with help from Harry Pierpont’s girlfriend, who helped smuggle guns to Pierpont and six other inmates who were still incarcerated at ISP. The men then managed to overtake the guards and escape.
Less than a week after the breakout, the gang traveled to Lima to free Dillinger. The men attempted to impersonate Indiana State Police officers and claimed to be there to extradite Dillinger back to Indiana.
When Sheriff Jess Sarber asked for identification, Pierpont shot and killed him. The gang then fled to Indiana.
Crime Spree
After Dillinger’s escape from Ohio, the Dillinger Gang participated in at least a dozen bank robberies throughout the Midwest from June 1933 to June 1934. The gang also ransacked state police arsenals, stealing fully automatic machine guns, pistols, and ammunition. They would also acquire sedans with high-powered V8 engines to outrun the police.