THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 31, 1945

On this date in 1945, inmate John Giles escaped from the federal prison at Alcatraz. Giles, a convicted train robber, worked on the prison's dock loading and unloading military uniforms that were cleaned in the prison laundry. Over a period of time, Giles managed to steal a complete uniform, which he hid from guards. While dressed in the uniform, he boarded a ferry carrying a forged pass and left the island, headed for freedom. Or so he thought.

Luck and math, weren't working in Giles's favor. The guards at Alcatraz soon realized they were one inmate short on their dock detail. And the senior officer on the ferry saw that he had somehow picked up an extra soldier. When the ferry arrived at its destination, nearby Angel Island (not San Francisco, as Giles had hoped), Giles stepped off the boat and into the hands of Alcatraz guards.

Further reading (and viewing):

Alcatraz History - Alcatraz Escape Attempts

Socyberty - None Shall Escape Alcatraz

HowStuffWorks - Alcatraz Webisodes: 1945 Escape Attempt

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 30, 1975

On this date in 1975, former (and wannabe future) teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa disappeared. Hoffa was scheduled to have a sit-down at the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield, MI with Detroit mobster Anthony "Tony Jack" Giacalone and New Jersey labor leader Anthony "Tony Pro" Provenzano. Tony Pro, by the way, was also a made member of the Genovese crime family.

Hoffa's plan was to mount a court challenge to a federal ban on his participation in union activities that would have kept him out of the Teamsters until 1981. With that out of the way, he could challenge his successor Frank Fitzsimmons for control of the Teamsters. Sadly for Jimmy, it looks like the mob had other ideas. He was last seen leaving the restaurant parking lot in an unidentified car.

Further reading:

truTV Crime Library - The Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa

Coverups.com - Jimmy Hoffa

TO RUSSIA, WITH LOVE

You just can't trust those sneaky Russkies.

Woman, 24, 'tried to smuggle arms from US to Russia'

A woman has been arrested in the US for allegedly trying to smuggle night-vision rifle scopes and arms to Russia.

Beautician Anna Fermanova 24, a US citizen born in Latvia, is said to have had the high-tech equipment confiscated at JFK airport as she boarded a plane bound for Moscow in March.

She was detained on her return to the country over the attempted export of US munitions without a licence.

Ms. Fermanova (pictured above) claimed that she was bringing the scopes to her husband in Moscow, and that he intended to use them for hunting.  Yeah, right.  Hunting what?  Or should I be asking "who"?

It's obvious that Ms. Fermanova is someone who should be watched at all times.  And frisked regularly.  You can't be too careful these days.

FEEL THE POWER OF THE DORK SIDE

Here's a story that might be of interest to crime buffs and fans of bad Star Wars puns alike:

The Empire Strikes Bank: Armed robber dressed as Darth Vader demands cash in daring raid

When a six-foot man strode into a Long Island bank yesterday dressed as sci-fi super villain Darth Vader, customers and staff thought it was a joke.

But they soon realised how serious the man was when he produced a handgun and demanded cash.

Police in New York are now trying to trace the phantom menace, who stuffed cash into a bag and disappeared.

The man entered the Chase Bank in East Setauket around 11:30am, wearing the distinctive Darth Vader mask, a long black cloak and - slightly out of character - camouflage combat trousers.

One customer thought the outfit was so funny that he started joking with the dark lord as he tried to pull off his heist.

Suffolk County Police Detective Sergeant William Lamb said: 'The customer thought it might have been a joke, and not a serious attempt at a robbery.'

But staff and customers were left in no doubt when the man then produced a handgun from a bag and screamed, 'This is not a joke' to cashiers.

This is going to be a tough case to crack.  Detectives will have to use The Force and trust their feelings.  Or maybe the robber left his lightsaber behind and the cops can score some fingerprints off it.

FRIDAY MOVIE QUOTE

"England is under threat of invasion, and though we be on the far side of the world, this ship is our home. This ship is England."

-Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 22, 1934

On this day in 1934, John Dillinger was shot and killed by lawmen as he left the Biograph Theater in Chicago, IL. FBI agents under Special Agent in Charge Melvin Purvis, along with officers from the East Chicago, IN Police Department set up a stakeout outside the theater, which was showing the film Manhattan Melodrama.

After the movie, Dillinger walked out with his girlfriend Polly Hamilton and Anna Sage, the infamous "Woman in Red" (she was really wearing orange, but "The Woman in Orange" doesn't have quite the ring to it). Agent Purvis ID'd Dillinger, and the agents closed in. The outlaw ran toward an alley and tried to draw a pistol from his pocket. The agents opened fire, and Dillinger was hit four times. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.




"It's like the coroner said, 'Crime don't pay!' does it?"








Further reading:

truTV Crime Library - John Dillinger.

76th Anniversary Commemoration

FBI Famous Cases: John Dillinger

BABE OF THE WEEK

This week's babe is actress Navi Rawat, who appeared in The O.C. and Numb3rs.


Navi appeared recently in three episodes of Burn Notice as Kendra, a deadly, and slightly psychotic, professional killer.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 21, 1873

On this date in 1873, a group of western bank robbers known as the James-Younger gang tried their hand at train robbery.  The gang sabotaged the track just outside Adair, IA and waited for the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific train's approach.  Around 7:00 PM, the locomotive derailed, killing the engineer.

 

Some of the robbers hit the express car while the rest guarded the train's passengers and crew.  The gang believed that the train would be carrying tens of thousands of dollars in gold.  As it turns out, they were mistaken.  They left the scene about ten minutes later with a few thousand in cash.

 

Some have referred to the 1873 Rock Island &Pacific robbery as the first peace-time train robbery in US history, but this is incorrect.  The Reno gang beat the James-Youngers to it, robbing an Ohio and Mississippi train in Seymour, IN in 1866.

 

Further reading:

 

NY Times - "Daring Railway Robbery"

 

Old West Legends: The James-Younger Gang - Terror in the Heartland

 

Wikipedia - James-Younger Gang

A WORD FROM THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

It has come to our attention that the Nobody Move! creative team neglected to post a Babe of the Week last week.  We here at Nobody Move! apologize for this omission.  Rest assured that there will be a Babe of the Week post this week.  In the meantime, fans of babes in bikinis might enjoy this double dose of smoking hotness: models Rosie Huntington-Whitely Angela Lindvall.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 19, 1879

On this date in 1879, John Henry Holliday, an 1872 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, became former Army scout Mike Gordon's Huckleberry. Mr. Gordon, it seemed, started an altercation in Dr. Holliday's saloon. Big mistake. The argument spilled out into the street, where Mr. Gordon drew his pistol--an even bigger mistake--and fired it at Dr. Holliday. In what was sure to be the biggest mistake of all, Mr. Gordon missed. Dr. Holliday responded by drawing his own pistol and shooting at Mr. Gordon. He didn't miss. Mr. Gordon died. And Dr. Holliday discovered a new favorite game: Play for Blood.

Further reading:

Wikipedia: Doc Holliday

Bad Hombres: Doc Holliday

Outlaws and Gunslingers: Doc Holliday

This day In History: Doc Holliday kills for the first time

FRIDAY MOVIE QUOTE

"I want to tell you something, Mr. Shilling, 'cause it'll save time. You see, I have a very jaundiced view of life. From what I see, most of it's corrupt, venal, and vile. And I'm just saying this so you'll know I don't have a better nature to appeal to, or a compassionate streak."

Lew Vogel (David Suchet), The Bank Job (2008)

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 14, 1881

On this date in 1881, Henry McCarty, aka William Bonney, aka Henry Antrim, aka Billy the Kid (his most famous alias), was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garret in Fort Sumner, NM.




Further reading:

Wikipedia: Billy the Kid

Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang

About Billy the Kid

TruTV's Crime Library: Henry McCarty: The Wild West's "Billy The Kid"

Find a Grave: William "Billy The Kid" Bonney (this site puts the date of his death on July 15th, which is incorrect; the coroner's inquest was held on the 15th)

WORK ZONE

I apologize for the light blogging lately. I've been hard at work on my research paper. It's a task that wasn't made easier by the death of my computer. Fortunately, I recovered the file, but when I went to work on it using my wife's computer, I wound up losing about 40% of what I'd already done. Switching to Word 2007 was appaently the culprit. For the record, I hate MS Office 2007. I downloaded and installed Abiword on my wife's computer to prevent future heartburn. Once I get caught up to where I left off before the Word mishap, I'll get back to posting a little more often.

SCORE!!!

The World Cup is over, and Spain has won! This is great news. Not because I'm a fan of Spain (although I'm sure it's a nice country), but because I'm sick of World Cup news in my face all the time. To say I'm not a fan of soccer would be an understatement. But I know of someone who is a big fan, Irish model Claire Tully. Regular readers will recognize Claire as one of our favorites here at Nobody Move! So, to celebrate the Spainish victory in this cup thingy, here's a couple pics of Claire.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 11, 1804

On this date in 1804, Alexander Hamilton and Vice President Aaron Burr decided to throw down. Like all good New Yorkers, they crossed into New Jersey for their gunfight. As everyone knows, NJ is the appropriate place to get Medieval, just ask Tony Soprano. OK, the real reason was that dueling was outlawed in NY.

Hamilton had the experience advantage, having participated in more duels than Burr. But Burr was hungry, as all challengers are. Both men fired within seconds of each other. Hamilton's shot missed, some say intentionally (were bookies fixing duels in the early 19th century?). Burr didn't miss. He hit Hamilton right in the abdomen. Hamilton died the following day.

Burr was never convicted of a crime in connection with the duel, and went on to finish his term in office. He died in 1836 at 80 years of age.

Further reading:

More on Aaron Burr

Wikipedia: Hamilton-Burr duel

FRIDAY MOVIE QUOTE

"The good Americans usually die young on the battlefield, don't they? Well, the Davids of this world merely occupy space, which is why he was the perfect victim for the perfect murder. Of course he was a Harvard undergraduate. That might make it justifiable homicide."

-Brandon Shaw (John Dall), Rope (1948)

S.O.L.

Just when I thought nothing else could go wrong, Mr. Murphy dropped by to remind me he's not even close to done with me.  As it turns out, his latest gift is a busted laptop.  As a result, the Friday Movie Quote won't be posted until later.  Things could be worse, I suppose.  At least I managed to recover my partially written research paper from it before the computer went too far south.  I'll be paying the Geek Squad a visit after work. 

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 8, 1898

On this date in 1898, con-man and gangster Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith uttered his last words: "My God, don't shoot!" What do you think happened next? If your guess was "He was shot," give yourself 10 points. Soapy was killed in a dispute over a game of three-card monte, among other things.

Further reading:

Alias Soapy Smith: King of the Frontier Con Men

Leadville & Twin Lakes, Colorado History: The Story of Jefferson Randolph (Soapy) Smith

Legends of America: Soapy Smith - Bunko Man of the Old West

Soapy Smith's Soapbox

BABE OF THE WEEK

This week's babe is singer Nicole Scherzinger. Nicole has made the Maxim Hot 100 every year since 2006.

I HAVEN'T BLOGGED SINCE FRIDAY?

Well then, I'd better post something.  I've been busy as hell writing a research paper for the course I'm taking, so I don't have much of consequence to say at the moment.  Here are a few of the random things that have been on my mind:

- What is it about parking lots that they make stupid drivers more stupid?

- "San Diego homeowner finds naked man asleep on sofa"  When I see headlines like this, I always wonder why it's a naked man and not a naked woman.  Women are catching up to men in math, science, and business, but they're way behind in the doing-stupid-things-while-naked-in-public department.  What gives?  Is this disparity indicative of a failure in our educational system?  Or is it media bias against naked women?

- Fourth of July was last weekend and it already feels like summer's almost over.  On top of that, I have no vacation plans yet.  Looks like I'll be vacationing at home again this year.

- Even after a four day weekend, I'm fried.  On the positive side, it's payday.  And Burn Notice is on tomorrow night.  Things are looking up.

I'll try to get the Babe of the Week post up tonight.  I know that Charlie must be going through withdrawal by now.

THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JULY 2, 1881

On this date in 1881, President James A. Garfield was shot in the back and arm at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad station in Washington, D.C.  The wounds were not immediately fatal, and the president lingered until September 19th when he died of complications from his injuries.  He was the second US president to be assassinated.  Had he been shot 20 years later, medical science probably would have been able to save President Garfield, a point not lost on assassin Charles Guiteau.  "The doctors killed Garfield, I just shot him," Guiteau proclaimed at his trial.  Be that as it may, Guiteau was convicted of murdering the president in January of 1882.  He was executed on June 30, 1882.


Further reading:

truTV - Charles J. Guiteau

The Assassination of James A. Garfield, By Robert Kingsbury

Wikipedia - Assassination of James A. Garfield

UMKC Law School - Last Words of Assassin Charles Guiteau

Nobody Move - THIS DAY IN CRIME HISTORY: JUNE 30, 1882

FRIDAY MOVIE QUOTE

"If you mean by patriot, am I angry about taxation without representation? Well, yes I am. Should the American colonies govern themselves independently? I believe that they can, and they should. But if you are asking me, am I willing to go to war with England? Well, then the answer is most definitely no!"

-Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), The Patriot (2000)

CLASSIC!

Some of those Geico commercials crack me up. This one features an age-old dilemma for men.