Notorious Bank Robber Edwin Boyd’s Daring Jailbreaks Revealed

UPDATE: New revelations detail the audacious escapades of notorious Canadian bank robber Edwin Boyd, who executed two dramatic jailbreaks from the Don Jail in 1951. These sensational events not only captivated the public but also showcased Boyd’s extraordinary cunning and desperation as he sought freedom.

In an urgent turn of events, Boyd’s daring attempts to escape from one of Toronto’s most infamous prisons have surfaced, painting a vivid picture of his life as a folk hero turned criminal. Just months after his first escape, Boyd and his gang concocted a bizarre plan involving butter to aid their getaway from the supposedly secure “death row” section of the jail.

Reports indicate that on the morning of August 1951, Boyd and his accomplices attempted to push a naked inmate through a barred window, greased with butter in a desperate effort. Boyd recalled, “So there’s Willie, bare naked, and … we’re rubbing butter on his hips.” However, the plan quickly unraveled when they realized they had only managed to saw through two bars, and nobody could fit.

The infamous Boyd Gang, which had already gained notoriety for a series of bank heists, was born from Boyd’s frustrations after returning from the Second World War. Struggling to provide for his family, Boyd was inspired by a newspaper article that detailed a teenager’s successful bank heist yielding $69,000. Motivated by easy money, he executed his first robbery at the Armour Heights branch of the Bank of Montreal in September 1949, armed with a Luger pistol and a sack for cash.

Following his initial success, Boyd’s criminal career escalated with a string of bank robberies, culminating in a dramatic incident that led to his first incarceration in the Don Jail. After executing a daring escape with fellow inmates, Boyd’s exploits continued, ultimately leading to increased police scrutiny.

The Boyd Gang’s rise was marked by chaos, including a tragic incident that resulted in the death of Detective Edmund Tong in March 1952. As the gang became notorious as cop-killers, their capture seemed inevitable. Boyd was ultimately apprehended in his Toronto hideout.

In a shocking twist, Boyd and his accomplices were again locked in the same area of the Don Jail, allowing them to devise another escape plan involving a makeshift master key. This led to their eventual escape in early September 1952, only to be recaptured days later while picking apples at a hiding spot in North York.

The fallout from these events was severe. Both Leonard “Tough Lennie” Jackson and Steve Suchan faced execution, while Boyd received eight life sentences but was paroled after 14 years. His legacy as a “gentleman thief” endures, but dark secrets linger, including potential involvement in unsolved homicides.

As new details emerge about Boyd’s escapades, they remind us of a time when crime, charm, and chaos defined a period in Toronto’s history. The story of Edwin Boyd continues to captivate audiences, representing the allure of rebellion against authority and the quest for freedom, even at a steep cost.

Stay tuned for further updates on this intriguing historical figure and the lasting impact of his actions on Toronto’s criminal landscape.