John Dillinger's Tommy gun in the news
In this 1961 photo, Tucson Police Sgt. Tom Keeley holds a Colt Thompson submachine gun and secretary Linda Bradfield holds a Winchester Model 1907, with other guns confiscated from the John Dillinger gang during Dillinger's capture in Tucson, Ariz., in 1934. Police in Tucson are at odds with a small Indiana town over the Tommy gun taken from Dillinger during his arrest. The Arizona Daily Star reports that officials in Peru, Ind., want the Colt Thompson submachine gun turned over, saying they believe it was stolen from Peru police in 1933 before Dillinger was caught in Tucson. (Tucson Citizen Archive/Arizona Daily Star via AP) ALL LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; PAC-12 OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT; GREEN VALLEY NEWS OUT
Peru officials told local newspaper Kokomo Tribune that they believe the weapon was stolen from police there in 1933 when a Dillinger accomplice posed as an insurance agent and asked police to lay out their guns so he could give them a quote.
Dillinger, accomplice Harry Pierpont and others returned to the police station that night and held officers at gunpoint while stealing several items, including the Tommy gun, said Peru City Attorney Pat Roberts, whose father was one of the officers on duty.
After other robberies nationwide, the outlaws were caught in Tucson.
"We understand it's a big part of their history," Tucson police Sgt. Pete Dugan said of the request for the gun. "But it's also a big part of Tucson's history."
Dillinger and his accomplices had several weapons when they were arrested, and it can be difficult to determine the origin of each, Dugan said.
Peru officials say the gun's serial number can prove their claim.
Peru, Indiana to Tucson: Give us back John Dillinger's Tommy gun
In this 1961 photo, Tucson Police Sgt. Tom Keeley holds a Colt Thompson submachine gun and secretary Linda Bradfield holds a Winchester Model 1907, with other guns confiscated from the John Dillinger gang during Dillinger's capture in Tucson, Ariz., in 1934. Police in Tucson are at odds with a small Indiana town over the Tommy gun taken from Dillinger during his arrest. The Arizona Daily Star reports that officials in Peru, Ind., want the Colt Thompson submachine gun turned over, saying they believe it was stolen from Peru police in 1933 before Dillinger was caught in Tucson. (Tucson Citizen Archive/Arizona Daily Star via AP) ALL LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; PAC-12 OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT; GREEN VALLEY NEWS OUT
Peru officials told local newspaper Kokomo Tribune that they believe the weapon was stolen from police there in 1933 when a Dillinger accomplice posed as an insurance agent and asked police to lay out their guns so he could give them a quote.
Dillinger, accomplice Harry Pierpont and others returned to the police station that night and held officers at gunpoint while stealing several items, including the Tommy gun, said Peru City Attorney Pat Roberts, whose father was one of the officers on duty.
After other robberies nationwide, the outlaws were caught in Tucson.
"We understand it's a big part of their history," Tucson police Sgt. Pete Dugan said of the request for the gun. "But it's also a big part of Tucson's history."
Dillinger and his accomplices had several weapons when they were arrested, and it can be difficult to determine the origin of each, Dugan said.
Peru officials say the gun's serial number can prove their claim.
Peru, Indiana to Tucson: Give us back John Dillinger's Tommy gun
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