Harvey Van Dine

Serial Killer

Harvey Van Dine and the Chicago Car Barn Bandits

Overview

Harvey Van Dine was an American murderer, armed robber, and member of the notorious group known as the Chicago Car Barn Bandits. During the summer and fall of 1903, Van Dine and his associates carried out a concentrated series of saloon robberies, shootings, and killings in Chicago, Illinois, and neighboring Indiana. Although Van Dine is sometimes classified as a serial killer, his crimes more closely resembled gang-related and spree killings committed during robberies and while fleeing law enforcement. The principal members of the gang were Harvey Van Dine, Gustave Marx, Peter Niedermeier, and Emil Roeski. Contemporary accounts also called some members the "Automatic Trio" because they carried semiautomatic pistols, weapons that were still relatively unfamiliar to many police officers. Their willingness to fire without warning made even minor robberies exceptionally dangerous. The gang was blamed for eight deaths during its brief existence, although Van Dine was not personally present for every killing attributed to the group.

Early Criminal Activity

Van Dine was born around 1882 and spent much of his youth in Chicago. He became associated with Marx, Niedermeier, and Roeski while still a young man. The group reportedly admired famous outlaws and developed a fascination with firearms. Several of the men had previously been arrested for theft, but their crimes escalated rapidly during 1903. The gang began targeting railroad facilities and neighborhood saloons. These establishments often held cash but had limited security. The robbers commonly entered late at night, pointed automatic pistols at employees and customers, and demanded money. Their financial gains were frequently small, yet they repeatedly shot people who resisted, attempted to escape, or simply happened to be in their path. ...

Confirmed Victims: (8)

Otto Bauder Age: (19), Date of Death: 1903-07-09

Survivors:

Martin Doherty , Date of Attack: 1903-07-03

L.?W. Lathrop , Date of Attack: 1903-07-03

Louis Cohen , Date of Attack: 1903-07-10

Peter Gorski , Date of Attack: 1903-07-20

William Edmond , Date of Attack: 1903-08-30

Henry Biehl , Date of Attack: 1903-08-30

Detective Mat Zimmer , Date of Attack: 1903-11-27

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