Crime runs rampant in countries worldwide: China, Lithuania, South Africa, Argentina, and so many more. America has not been exempted from this dark side of human nature. For that reason, the Federal Bureau of Investigation—or the FBI—came into existence. Across the nation, the Bureau has tracked crimes of varying sorts, some of which became immortalized by history.
At the mention of a plane hijacking, the 9/11 attack may spring to mind. However, another shocking incident occurred in 1971—November 24, to be precise. The hijacker’s real name has never been discovered, but the media gave him the moniker D.B. Cooper in accordance with the name he used to buy a one-way ticket to Seattle, Washington. The FBI’s file on the case reported that he informed the stewardess that he had a bomb in his briefcase and requested $20,000 and four parachutes. After trading the passengers of the flight for the contents of his request at the initial destination of Seattle, he redirected the flight to Mexico City. That evening, he took the money and—using one of the parachutes—jumped from the plane and off the grid, never to be seen again.
While some teenagers have a solid group of friends, hopefully none have a friendship like Bonnie Parker and Clyde Champion Barrow. According to the FBI, Clyde met Bonnie in January during the year of 1930, just shortly before Clyde had been arrested for burglary. After having a few more tiffs with the law, he finally got parole in 1932, leading to him seeking out Bonnie, where they started their notorious journey of law breaking. They joined Clyde’s brother and his wife, committing petty thefts and robbing vehicles, but it quickly escalated into some of the biggest bank heists in history. Bonnie and Clyde escaped the law repeatedly, which, according to the FBI, “made law enforcement efforts to apprehend them even more intense.” Unlike Bonnie and Clyde, their accomplices had gotten caught, which resulted in the duo breaking them out of prison. They continued with their crimes, but on April 1, 1934, Bonnie and Clyde drew their last breaths in a shootout with the police—who they encountered while driving—ending their 21 months of breaking the law.
“Do not try to take it apart...This bomb is so sensitive that the slightest movement either inside or outside will cause it to explode. This bomb can never be dismantled or disarmed without causing an explosion. Not even by the creator.” On August 26, 1980, 59-year-old John Birges Sr., created a bomb and hired men in white jumpsuits to walk into Harvey’s Resort Hotel and Casino with the steel bomb disguised as a copy machine to get inside the building inconspicuously. Birges left a note specifically to the Bomb Squad, warning them that the bomb had been made impossible to dismantle or remove without his help. Based on the investigation conducted by the FBI, he claimed that he could, “supply directions to disconnect two of the bomb’s three automatic timers so it could be moved to a remote area before exploding.” However, he blackmailed the police, saying he would only help if he received three million dollars. The FBI, deciding to ignore Birges, focused on evacuating everyone from the casino. Unfortunately, the FBI could not stop the bomb from exploding, but—luckily—it did not kill anyone. The men in the white jumpsuits—Birges’ sons—cooperated with the police, and received suspended sentences, while the court sentenced Birges himself to jail, where he later died.
For those interested in pursuing a career similar to the FBI—such as becoming a police officer or joining the CIA— crimes of this ilk haven’t been confined to the pages of history. In truth, crimes happen all the time. Check out the websites of the FBI and the CIA to learn more about possible career choices and past crimes.
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