This Bank Robber's Life

At last! The true story of North America's most famous, most successful and most likable bank robber of our time. You've seen him featured on many TV shows like America's Most Wanted, Unsolved Mysteries, Street Stories with Ed Bradley, Amazing Capers, The Fifth Estate, NBC Dateline and Court TV. You've read about him in two full-length books, in countless newspaper and magazine articles and on the Web. You may even have seen him portrayed in a Hollywood movie or two. As Paddy Mitchell will tell you, "Nobody's gotten the story right yet." Now, finally, Paddy tells his own story. And what a story it is! From a million dollar gold heist to dozens of bank robberies to prison escapes, and even an occasional love story. Some of it will make you laugh, some of it will make you cry. This book may well be the best true crime autobiography ever written. Visit Paddy's website at paddymitchell.wordpress.com for more information about his books or to leave comments or reviews.

At last! The true story of North America's most famous, most successful and most likable bank robber of our time. You've seen him featured on many TV shows like America's Most Wanted, Unsolved Mysteries, Street Stories with Ed Bradley, Amazing Capers, The Fifth Estate, NBC Dateline and Court TV. You've read about him in two full-length books, in countless newspaper and magazine articles and on the Web. You may even have seen him portrayed in a Hollywood movie or two. As Paddy Mitchell will tell you, "Nobody's gotten the story right yet." Now, finally, Paddy tells his own story. And what a story it is! From a million dollar gold heist to dozens of bank robberies to prison escapes, and even an occasional love story. Some of it will make you laugh, some of it will make you cry. This book may well be the best true crime autobiography ever written. Visit Paddy's website at paddymitchell.wordpress.com for more information about his books or to leave comments or reviews. “Paddy, you should have titled this book: All You Ever Wanted to Know About Robbing Banks (but didn’t know who to ask).” Drew Blanton (convicted bank robber, Oklahoma City) “The most accurate depiction of the ‘lifestyle’ you will ever read...from one of the best.” Gary Settle (convicted bank robber, Florida) “Move over Willie Sutton. Make room for Paddy Mitchell, eminent bank robber of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, who robbed scores of banks because that was where the money was.” Mike Hyde (“The Bridges Bandit”, San Diego) “The High Life and Fast Times, the book gives you the feeling of life as a successful bank robber.” Bobby King “Before I read your book I never realized that bank robbery could be so safe for the victims; nor could it be so exciting and profitable. Thanks Paddy.” Tracy Jackson (convicted postal robber, North Carolina) “True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist. I can feel this urge in the life story of Patrick Mitchell.” Ray Lewis Bowman (“Trench Coat” bandit, Kansas City)

Patrick Michael "Paddy" Mitchell (26 June 1942 - 14 January 2007) of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was leader of the notorious "Stopwatch Gang" of bank robbers. Mitchell was on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list for the Stopwatch Gang's bank robberies across the U.S. Mitchell, working with fellow Canadians Stephen Reid, and Lionel Wright stole approximately $15 million—mainly in the 1970s and 1980s—from more than 140 banks and other sites across Canada and the U.S. He escaped from prison three times, and moved to the Philippines for 15 years, where he remarried and had a son. During that time, he often flew back to the U.S. to visit banks. Finally, in 1994, he was convicted for a solo robbery in Mississippi and put in prison for the last time to serve a 65-year sentence. The Stopwatch Gang, which was famous for its speedy heists—including the 1974 robbery of $700,000 in gold bars from the Ottawa Airport—was named for a stopwatch Reid wore. They were known for non-violent methods and politeness to victims. The gang's story is recorded in several television documentaries and books, including Mitchell's autobiography, This Bank Robber's Life, which he wrote from prison. Mitchell was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2006 and died in the Federal Medical Centre in Butner, N.C. in the prison hospital at age 64. He is survived by Kevin, Richard and two grandsons.