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Barker-Karpis Gang
Alvin "Creepy" Karpis was a well-known gangster in the 1930's. His partners consisted of the Barker brothers, their mother and other associates. -
The Hamm Kidnapping
Kidnapped William Hamm in 1933. Left a ransom note asking for $100,000. -
The Silver Nitrate Method
This method was first used in this case to life latent fingerprints. -
Latent Fingerprints
The FBI used a latent fingerprint identification method to raise fingerprints found on the ransom note. -
The Bremer Kidnapping
The gang kidnapped a second victim, Edward George Bremer Jr. The gang asked for $200,000 in the ransom note. -
Bremer is free
Bremer was released since his family paid $200,000. -
End of a Gang
After the kidnapping, the gang broke up. Some of the members went to Cuba. Some members had plastic surgery to cover up their fingerprints. Other members exchanged the money back and forth. -
The Use of Fake Names
Fred Barker and Harry Campbell used fake names to check in at the El Commodre Hotel in Miami. Kate "Ma" Barker (Fred's mother) helped them with their crimes. -
Movement
The Barker's moved into a friend's cottage near Lake Weir. -
Locating A Member
Arthur "Doc" Barker was located by Bureau investigators to a house in Chicago. -
Finding the Culprits
Doc was arrested without incident. Later that night, another member of the gang, Russell Gibson, was apprehended along with his associates. Gibson wore a bullet-proof vest and had a shoot-out with the police. He got killed. Firearms and ammunition was found and a map of the cottage in Florida circled. -
Shoot-out
Agents surrounded the house. There was a shoot-out for about a hour. Gunshots ended, Ma and Fred were dead -
Capture of Alvin
Alvin "Creepy" Karpis was arrested in New Orleans. FBI founder, Hoover, escorted Alvin during his arrest. -
Trail of Alvin
Karpis pled guilty in St. Paul, Missouri. He spent time in jails around the U.S. such as Alcatraz. -
Releasment of Alvin
Alvin was paroled in 1969 -
Last Member of the Gang
Alvin died
