"Slick Willie" Sutton: Brooklyn's Gentleman Bank Robber
The Life and Times of Notorious Bank Robber and Escape Artist Willie Sutton
Long before a charismatic former Arkansas governor turned President earned the label “Slick Willie” for his extracurricular activities, the nickname already belonged to a charming and witty Brooklyn bank robber named Willie Sutton.
Referred to by the press as both “Slick Willie” and “The Actor” for his remarkable ability to utilize disguises during his robberies. The name Slick Willie turned out to be an appropriate moniker. In addition to his bank-robbing prowess, he was regarded for his legendary prison escapes.
He was also known to be an immaculate dresser and was widely regarded as a gentleman who always used an unloaded gun during his robberies. Urban legend has it that Willie would not rob a bank if a woman screamed or a baby cried.
Early Years
William Francis Sutton was born in Greenpoint Brooklyn on June 30th, 1901. He was the fourth of five children …