On this date in 1953, a crew of robbers held up the Southwest Bank in St. Louis. The robbers didn’t get far with their loot; police officers confronted them as they exited the bank. In the ensuing shootout, a police officer and one of the robbers were injured, and two of the robbers wound up dead (one by his own hand). The story attracted national attention and was made into a movie in 1959 starring Steve McQueen. Officer Mel Stein, who shot and killed one of the robbers, played himself in the movie.
Check out this video about the robbery. It includes an interview with Officer Stein.
Further reading:
stltoday.com: A Look Back: Fast action foils bank robbery in 1953
Nobody Move! 
Reblogged this on Brittius.
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John D.:
—Have to say I’ve yet to see this Steve McQueen movie based on this incident, but it sounds interesting.
You’d think that robbing any bank in a large city would not turn out well anyway…right?
Good post.
Stay safe out there.
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