Willie sutton quotes
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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 …
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Just Like Willie Sutton, You Can Bank On It
What did Willie Sutton Do? He robbed banks. But he wasn’t afraid to rob other places.
The Willie Sutton Rule
When asked by a reporter about why he stole from banks, Sutton answered, “Because that’s where the money is.” It should be noted that Sutton denied ever saying that.
Read more about The Willie Sutton Rule
Early Years
William Francis “Willie” Sutton attended school through eighth grade and then left home to find a job.
The Beginning of a Career
Sutton began his criminal career in 1919 at the age of 18 when he and two others stole $16,000. The three were soon caught. No charges were filed against them because of a family friendship.
As an aside, it makes one wonder if Sutton would have pursued a criminal career had he been forced to pay for his first crime when he was only 18.
An Unusual Criminal
Even though a robber, Sutton had the reputation of being a gentleman; people present at his robberies said he was quite polite. Sutton was also very well dressed.
In
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During his lifetime, William Francis “Slick Willie” Sutton Jr. was known for two things: robbing banks and breaking out of jail. Widely regarded as a good-natured “Gentleman Bandit,” Sutton was also notorious for his elaborate disguises when planning and executing a robbery.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1901, Sutton was the fourth of five children raised in an Irish Catholic family. Sutton’s formal education lasted until about the 8th grade. His longest tenure at a legal job was just eighteen months.
Sutton began his criminal career during the mid-1920s. Starting off as a safecracker, Willie soon graduated to bank robbery around 1930.
Sutton always remained polite and charming and never hurt anyone during a robbery. He would use either a pistol or a Thompson submachine gun (always unloaded) he would later say that using a loaded gun wasn’t his style because “Someone could get hurt.”
Legend has it that Willie would not rob a bank if a woman screamed or a baby cried.
He would become a prolific bank robber utilizing a variety of disguises, including a p
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