Tales From the Underworld — Authentic True Crime

Tales From the Underworld — Authentic True Crime

Share this post

Tales From the Underworld — Authentic True Crime
Tales From the Underworld — Authentic True Crime
"Slick Willie" Sutton: Brooklyn's Gentleman Bank Robber
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Robberies

"Slick Willie" Sutton: Brooklyn's Gentleman Bank Robber

The Life and Times of Notorious Bank Robber and Escape Artist Willie Sutton

Timothy Reynolds's avatar
Timothy Reynolds
Aug 29, 2023
∙ Paid

Share this post

Tales From the Underworld — Authentic True Crime
Tales From the Underworld — Authentic True Crime
"Slick Willie" Sutton: Brooklyn's Gentleman Bank Robber
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share
AI Generated by Eddie Wise

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.

Thanks for reading Tales From the Underworld! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

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 …

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Tales From the Underworld
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More