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Willie Sutton

Willie SuttonAKA William Francis Sutton, Jr.

Born: 30-Jun-1901
Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY
Died: 2-Nov-1980
Location of death: Spring Hill, FL
Cause of death: Emphysema
Remains: Buried, Brooklyn, NY

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Criminal

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Because that's where the money is

When asked why he robbed banks, Sutton reportedly replied, "Because that's where the money is." Over the years he claimed to have robbed over $2M from banks (pre-1970's inflation money), but that astonishing figure must be tempered with the 33 years he had to spend in prison. He began his career with a 1930 Manhattan bank robbery, escaped from prison twice, and was on the lam 1947-52. He retired after he achieved parole in 1969, though he did do an advertisement for a credit card during the 1970's.

Father: William Francis Sutton, Sr. (blacksmith)
Mother: (Catholic)
Brother: Jimmy
Sister: Helen
Sister: Agnes (d., meningitis)
Girlfriend: Carrie Wagner
Wife: Louise Leudemann (m. 21-Oct-1929, div.)
Daughter: Jeanie (b. 26-Sep-1930)
Wife: Olga Kowalska (m. 1933)

    Bank Robbery
    Kidnapping
    Burglary
    Larceny
    Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
    Assault (Jun-1931)
    Robbery (Jun-1931)
    Escaped from Prison (11-Dec-1932)
    Murder acquitted
    Escaped from Prison Philadelphia County Prison, Holmesburg, PA (10-Feb-1947)
    Inmate: Sing Sing Prison
    FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives (20-Mar-1950)
    Irish Ancestry
    Risk Factors: Smoking, Depression

Author of books:
I, Willie Sutton (1953, memoir, with Quentin Reynolds)
Where the Money Was (1976, memoir, with Edward Linn)



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