J. L. Hunter (Red) Rountree The world's oldest bank robber Date of Birth: 16.12.1911 Country: USA

1. Biography of J. L. Hunter 'Red' Rountree
2. First Robbery at 86
3. Second Robbery and Capture
4. Record-breaking Robbery at 91
5. Arrest and Death

Biography of J. L. Hunter 'Red' Rountree

J. L. Hunter 'Red' Rountree, the oldest bank robber in the world, was an American who became a record holder in a rather dubious category. He was born in 1911 in Brownwood, Texas. Surprisingly, for most of his long life, Rountree lived as a law-abiding citizen, only turning to a life of crime and robbery in his old age.

First Robbery at 86

Rountree committed his first bank robbery at the age of 86 in Mississippi in 1998. His target was the SouthTrust Bank, but he was quickly caught and charged. Perhaps due to his advanced age, Rountree received only a three-year suspended sentence. However, it seems that the old man did not learn any lessons from this experience.

Second Robbery and Capture

Rountree embarked on his second robbery in Florida, and this time he was not able to avoid a prison sentence. Despite his age, Rountree was sentenced to three years in prison. However, even the time behind bars did not deter him. His desire to rob a bank continued to haunt him, and the elderly criminal set off for a bank once again.

Record-breaking Robbery at 91

This time, the crime took place in Abilene, Texas at the First American Bank. At the age of 91, Rountree became a record holder as the oldest bank robber in history. It was later discovered that he used his own car to commit the robbery. Rountree entered the First American Bank, convinced the cashier to give him an envelope with $2,000 in small bills, and then calmly left, sat in his car, and drove home. An eyewitness recorded his car's license plate number and immediately reported it to the police.

Arrest and Death

Rountree was arrested at his home, still in possession of the stolen money. He was charged once again, and this time he was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. He would never experience freedom again. On October 12, 2004, J. L. Hunter 'Red' Rountree passed away in the medical center for criminals in the Springfield prison in Missouri. It was later revealed that Rountree officially held the title of the oldest bank robber in the world, and his name became part of folkloric tales.

Additionally, it was discovered that Mr. Rountree acted with full awareness, as he had a grudge against the American banking system, specifically blaming one of the Texas banks for his own bankruptcy. The story of this elderly robber's life became the basis for the documentary film 'This Is Not A Robbery,' which was an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in 2008.