John Dillinger was an infamous bank robber during the Depression. He was born in 1902 in Indianapolis. After a wild youth, he was sentenced to prison for attempting to rob a grocery store. After serving almost nine years, he was paroled and began to rob banks.
Dillinger robbed his first bank in Ohio. He was apprehended by Dayton police and lodged in the Lima jail. He escaped with the help of four recently-escaped convicts. They began robbing banks and police stations, stealing weapons, ammunition, and bullet-proof vests.
During a bank robbery in East Chicago, Indiana, the gang killed a police officer. After being arrested in Arizona, Dillinger was lodged in the Crown Point, IN county jail awaiting trial for the officer’s death. He escaped and headed to Chicago, teaming up with Baby Face Nelson.
After several close calls and shootouts with the FBI, Dillinger’s whereabouts were reported on July 21, 1934 by a brothel madam who recognized him. She disclosed his plans to see a movie the next evening in Chicago. FBI agents surrounded Dillinger as he exited the theater. Dillinger received three gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.