Manhattan Savings Institution Robbery

Description

The Manhattan Savings Institution bank heist, was the largest robbery in history at the time, with $2.75 million stolen (equivalent to $65 million in 2017). George Leonidas Leslie, a notorious bank robber, had planned the heist for 3 years, but was murdered by his own gang months before the robbery took place. The robbery triggered one of the largest investigations in New York City history. Despite the large sum stolen, they linked Leslie to numerous other major bank robberies across the United States. The stolen securities were difficult for the robbers to spend, and most of the money was recovered, but $15,000 was never recovered.

Escaped, Oct 27, 1878

After a failed bank robbery attempt in Maine in February 1878, which resulted in the death of the bank’s cashier, tensions rose within the gang. Leslie, in turn, tried to delay the Manhattan Savings Institution heist to execute it with a different gang. Fearing Leslie would betray them to the police, the gang grew increasingly paranoid. In March 1878, Leslie broke into the bank multiple times to practice opening the safe, finally succeeding in opening the outer safe on March 15. The gang carried out the plan without him, breaking into the bank stealing cash and securities. They used information from a janitor (coerced into giving the combination to the safe) and a night watchman (provided the bank access keys).

Related People & Organizations

Old Mother Fredricka Mandelbaum,George Leonidas Leslie, was an architect, art patron, socialite, and bank robber who was introduced to the criminal world by Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum. A replica of the bank was constructed in one of Mandelbaum's warehouses in Brooklyn, where Leslie rehearsed the robbery with his gang.

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1878

The head office at 644-646 Broadway

current Drawings and documents

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The Manhattan Bank Building

1878

Notice issued by the Manhattan Savings Institution to alert the public

1878

The notice lists coupon bond numbers that were stolen in the robbery

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