John Herbert Dillinger (June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934) was an American bank robber, considered by some to be a dangerous criminal, while others idealized him as a latter-day Robin Hood. ^* He gained this reputation (and the nickname "Jackrabbit") for his graceful movements during bank heists, e.g. leaping over the counter, (a movement he supposedly copied from watching it in a movie), and narrow getaways from police. His exploits, along with those of other criminals of the 1930s Depression era, such as Bonnie and Clyde and Ma Barker, dominated the attentions of the American press and its readers during what is sometimes referred to as the public enemy era, between 1931 and 1935, a period which led to the further development of the modern and more sophisticated FBI.

Early days

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Dillinger, the son of a farmer, was born on June 22, 1903, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and grew up in nearby Mooresville. In 1923, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, but deserted within a few months and was later dishonorably discharged. Dillinger returned to Indiana where he married a local girl named Beryl Hovious and attempted to settle down. He, however, had difficulty holding a job and his marriage disintegrated. One night in 1924, while out on a drinking binge, Dillinger and a friend assaulted and robbed a well-known local grocer, Frank Morgan. The buddies were soon captured. Dillinger's friend employed a lawyer and received only a few months in jail, while the lawyer-less Dillinger was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison, despite having no prior criminal record.

Robbery career

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The experience embittered Dillinger. He embraced the criminal lifestyle behind bars, learning the ropes from seasoned bank robbers like Harry Pierpont of Muncie, Indiana and Russell "Boobie" Clark of Terre Haute. The men planned heists that they would commit soon after they were released. Once Dillinger was released from Michigan City Prison, he helped conceive a plan for the escape of Pierpont, Clark and several others, most of whom worked in the prison laundry. The group known as the "first Dillinger gang" included Pierpont, Clark, Charles Makley, Edward W. Shouse, Jr.of Terre Haute, Harry Copeland, "Oklahoma Jack" Clark, Walter Dietrich and Jack "Red" Hamilton. Homer Van Meter and Lester Gillis (a.k.a. Baby Face Nelson) were among those who joined the "second Dillinger gang" after he escaped from the county jail at Crown Point, Indiana. ^* Altogether, gangs with whom Dillinger was believed to have been associated robbed about a dozen banks and confiscated over $300,000, an enormous sum in the Depression era.

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I need me a John Dillinger type guy minus the robbing banks thang.
Smo2612 (Shayna) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:34:44 -0000
I need me a John Dillinger type guy minus the robbing banks thang.
RT @DBeck7: This dude John Dillinger would probly still be robbin banks if he #nevertrust that chick.. #imjustsayin <--#truth x 100
doncity (Don City) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:28:45 -0000
RT @DBeck7: This dude John Dillinger would probly still be robbin banks if he #nevertrust that chick.. #imjustsayin <--#truth x 100
This dude John Dillinger would probly still be robbin banks if he #nevertrust that chick.. #imjustsayin
DBeck7 (Derrick D. Beck) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:25:13 -0000
This dude John Dillinger would probly still be robbin banks if he #nevertrust that chick.. #imjustsayin
I can't wait to watch Public Enemies. John Dillinger aka Johnny Depp =)
youngfreshnew (theyoungfreshnew.com) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:55:10 -0000
I can't wait to watch Public Enemies. John Dillinger aka Johnny Depp =)
John Dillinger is a LEGEND
brownboydope804 (Austin Brown) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:36:29 -0000
John Dillinger is a LEGEND
On my John Dillinger the flow just killin ya
MillOuttaHS (Ricky Camargo ) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:12:35 -0000
On my John Dillinger the flow just killin ya

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