Greater Astoria Historial Society 35-20 Broadway, 4th Floor | L.I.C., NY 11106 718.278.0700 | www.astorialic.org Gallery Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 2-5 PM Saturdays 12-5 PM Exhibits ~ Lectures ~ Documentaries ~ Books Walking Tours ~ Historical Research Unique & Creative Content For more information visit us on the web at www.astorialic.org This image adapted from an invitation to the Long Island City Athletics 33rd Annual Masque Ball, 1909. 32 MAY 2016 i LIC COURIER i www.qns.com Legends DON’T WORRY FOLKS – IT’S ONLY MONEY On March 9, 1950, the Manufacturers Trust Company Bank, at 47-11 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside (now a branch of Chase Bank) was to be the backdrop to a bank heist that, nearly 65 years later, is still well remembered by those of us who chronicle our city’s rich history. On just about any list of New York characters we would find Willie Sutton, a man that both fascinates (and is secretly admired) by just about everyone, be they criminal, law enforcement, and the general public. Willie was an actor who could change his appearance with cork and mascara as well as any thespian. He had a closet full of clothes that enabled him to walk into banks or jewelry stores dressed as a messenger, maintenance man, or even cop and not arise the slightest degree if suspicion. Willie loved crowds for they made him invisible and safe – their anonymity gave him cover as he ‘cased’ a place – observing its routine, its employees, its surroundings. He stood on the elevated platform at the 46th Street Station watching the comings and goings at his mark at 47th Street and Queens Boulevard. While crowds of unsuspecting workers rushed by on Queens Boulevard, he determined that bandits could calmly remain inside the bank until their task was finished. The holdup would be one of the largest and most cleverly executed bank robberies in Queens history. The custodian unlocked the bank at 8:25 a.m., and then, as was his habit, foolishly slipped next door for a newspaper. As he returned back inside the bank, he found himself looking at a gun. Willie and his two accomplices, DeVentura and Kling, had arrived to make a ‘withdrawal.’ The three men stood inside the bank’s front door for an hour, carefully watching the guard as he let in employees. The guard’s ankle was shackled to a radiator with a long dog chain so he would not bolt out the door as an employee arrived. Each person was told to sit in their chair behind their desk. They were warned to pretend that things wereing business as usual. Switchboard operator Genevieve Holfer of Glendale was told at the start of the robbery, as one man grabbed her and led her to the switchboard, “Answer right and you won’t get hurt. Seventeen lives are at stake. Don’t make a mistake.” Willie knew that every dimension of that heist had to be carefully thought out. He understood the psychology needed to manage his employee captives. Keeping in mind that frightened people do risky things, Willie made it a point to never threaten hostages. By explaining what was going on, they became cooperative. He even joked: “Don’t worry folks – it’s only money. And it’s not your money.” All eyes were on the door. The branch manager was four minutes late. Next: If you give me trouble, your employees will be shot.
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