John Dillinger: The True Crime Story and Key Facts
John Dillinger: American bank robber (1903–1934). The documented story, timeline and key facts of the case.
John Herbert Dillinger was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He commanded the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing twenty-four banks and four police stations. Dillinger was imprisoned several times and escaped twice. He was charged with but not convicted of the murder of East Chicago, Indiana, police officer William O'Malley, who shot Dillinger in his bulletproof vest during a shootout; it was the only time Dillinger was charged with homicide.
Why the case is remembered
The John Dillinger story remains one of the most discussed entries in true-crime history, covered in documentaries, podcasts and books. The summary above follows the publicly documented record.
Text adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Facts reflect the documented public record.
Frequently asked questions
Who is John Dillinger?
John Herbert Dillinger was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He commanded the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing twenty-four banks and four police stations.
Why is the John Dillinger case famous?
It is one of the most documented bank robber cases, widely covered by true-crime media.
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