21 Facts About Basil Banghart

Basil Hugh Banghart was born in Berville, Michigan, in 1901.

Basil Banghart dropped out of college after one year to become a professional car thief, stealing over 100 cars in the Detroit area before his arrest in 1926.

Around this time, Banghart acquired his criminal nickname "The Owl" because of his abnormally large eyes.

Basil Banghart escaped from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary months into his sentence.

Basil Banghart got as far as Montana, but was recaptured and returned to prison.

Basil Banghart made a second escape a year later, but was caught trying to steal a car in Pittsburgh in October 1928.

Basil Banghart was taken to a federal building, and left alone in an office for a few minutes, Banghart used a phone to call local police, claiming he was a federal agent who had been assaulted and overpowered by his prisoner, Basil Banghart.

Basil Banghart continued claiming that "Banghart" had escaped after handcuffing him, and described the US marshal who was escorting him, noting that he was "a dangerous, armed felon and a police impostor".

When police arrived moments later, they took the escort into custody, while Basil Banghart escaped in the confusion.

Basil Banghart was arrested once more in February 1930, and was returned to Leavenworth, but quickly escaped again.

Basil Banghart was arrested in Detroit for armed robbery in January 1932 and held in the South Bend, Indiana, jail, but escaped by throwing pepper in a guard's face, then using a machine gun to shoot his way out.

Basil Banghart headed south and eventually made his way to Chicago, where he joined Roger Touhy's organization.

Basil Banghart became a major asset to Touhy during this time, and no doubt an active participant in Touhy's war with the Chicago Outfit, but only one incident is recorded in which Basil Banghart was specifically involved.

When Basil Banghart took the stand he denied these claims and attempted to explain that the kidnapping was staged.

Basil Banghart's testimony was largely ignored, and Touhy, two others, and he were convicted and received 99-year sentences.

The convicts were given even longer jail sentences for their escape, and on January 2,1943, Basil Banghart was returned to Stateville, where he was placed in solitary confinement.

Basil Banghart was then transferred, with an escort of 18 federal marshals, to Alcatraz.

Basil Banghart spent the rest of his time in the prison kitchen working with former public enemy Alvin Karpis in the bakery.

Basil Banghart was transferred back to Stateville in 1959, and eventually his kidnapping conviction was overturned and the mail robbery charges were dropped for time served.

Basil Banghart was released the following year, when at age 60, he was reunited with his longtime girlfriend Mae Blacock.

Basil Banghart had received a small inheritance from his aunt 15 years before.