James Cunniffe
Encyclopedia
James "Killer" Cunniffe was an American bank robber who planned and successfully carried out the 1926 New Jersey mail robbery, one of the most well-publicized thefts during the 1920s. On October 14, 1926, he and seven others armed with submachine guns hijacked a U.S. mail truck in Elizabeth, New Jersey
and escaped with $161,000. During the gunbattle with the guards, the driver was killed while his assistant and a local police officer were wounded.
The robbery received considerable coverage at the time and is regarded as one of the most high-profile robberies prior to the "Public Enemy
"-era of the 1930s. Three days after the robbery, after a two-day discussion with his cabinet, then President Calvin Coolidge
assigned 2,250 U.S. Marines to escort all mail shipments in the Eastern United States
. A further announcement on October 27 authorized the use of 250 Thompson machine guns specifically to be used for guard duty. Already a long-favored weapon in the underworld, the Marine Corps was the first branch of the U.S. military to purchase "Tommy guns".
Weeks after the robbery, Cunniffe was killed in a fight with fellow gang member William "Ice Wagon" Crowley when he shot and killed both Cunniffe and his girlfriend at the Highland Court Apartments in Highland Park, Michigan
on October 31, 1926. Crowley was still in the apartment when police arrived and a shootout occurred leaving he and police officer Ernest Jones dead before the battle was over.
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
and escaped with $161,000. During the gunbattle with the guards, the driver was killed while his assistant and a local police officer were wounded.
The robbery received considerable coverage at the time and is regarded as one of the most high-profile robberies prior to the "Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and his S1W group, DJ Lord , and Music Director Khari Wynn...
"-era of the 1930s. Three days after the robbery, after a two-day discussion with his cabinet, then President Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
assigned 2,250 U.S. Marines to escort all mail shipments in the Eastern United States
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...
. A further announcement on October 27 authorized the use of 250 Thompson machine guns specifically to be used for guard duty. Already a long-favored weapon in the underworld, the Marine Corps was the first branch of the U.S. military to purchase "Tommy guns".
Weeks after the robbery, Cunniffe was killed in a fight with fellow gang member William "Ice Wagon" Crowley when he shot and killed both Cunniffe and his girlfriend at the Highland Court Apartments in Highland Park, Michigan
Highland Park, Michigan
- Geography :According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 16,746 people, 6,199 households, and 3,521 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,622.9 per square mile . There were 7,249...
on October 31, 1926. Crowley was still in the apartment when police arrived and a shootout occurred leaving he and police officer Ernest Jones dead before the battle was over.