Who was John Dillinger and how did he get caught?
JOHN Dillinger was a notorious criminal who escaped from jail not once, but twice.
From his life of crime to his death – here’s everything you need to know about the man known as “Public Enemy No.1” in the 1930s.
Who was John Dillinger?
Indianapolis-born John Herbert Dillinger was one of America’s most notorious criminals during the Great Depression.
In 2009, Johnny Depp took on the role of Dillinger in the biographical crime drama film, Public Enemies.
The film chronicles the final years of the notorious John Dillinger who the FBI declared to be “Public Enemy No. 1”.
What crimes did John Dillinger commit?
As a teenager, Dillinger was frequently in trouble for fighting and petty theft.
He was first arrested for auto theft in 1992, before choosing to enlist in the Navy.
After deserting his position, Dillinger went on to commit more crimes, racking up a criminal record that included robbery, assault, battery and conspiracy to commit a felony.
As a result of his violent and volatile behaviour, Dillinger was put behind bars several times – and escaped twice.
During his time locked up, Dillinger befriended other criminals, including seasoned bank robbers Harry “Pete” Pierpont, Charles Makley, Russell Clark, and Homer Van Meter.
He also led the ‘Dillinger Gang’, a crime group which was accused of robbing a number of banks and four police stations.
Dillinger is known to have participated with the gang in 12 separate bank robberies, between June 21, 1933, and June 30, 1934.
How did John Dillinger die?
On July 22, 1934, John Dillinger was shot and killed by special agents after fleeing from custody.
Dillinger was awaiting trial for the killing of an East Chicago police officer when he escaped from jail in Crown Point, Indiana, in March 1934 – it was the only time he was charged with homicide.
While on the run, he underwent plastic surgery to alter his face and was said to have tried to remove his fingerprints with acid.
Despite trying to conceal his identity, the notorious criminal was shot and killed by local and federal law-enforcement officers.
Officers closed in on Dillinger and a number of his associates as they were exiting the Biograph Theater.
He was 31-years-old when he died and according to investigators, he didn’t say a word during his final moments.
Dillinger’s death came only two months after the deaths of fellow notorious criminals Bonnie and Clyde.