Hey friend! Have you heard the fascinating tale of the Flying Bandit from the 1950s and 60s? His real name was Gilbert Galvan Jr, and he charmed Canada with his polite bank robberies for years before the law finally caught up to him.
I‘m sure you‘re wondering – is the Flying Bandit still alive today? Let me walk you through the incredible true story of Gilbert Galvan Jr, from his criminal exploits to his death behind bars. Strap in – this is going to be one wild ride!
The Short Answer
Let‘s start with the bottom line: No, the Flying Bandit is not still alive. Gilbert Galvan Jr died in 1979 at age 58 in a Wisconsin prison hospital, where he was serving time for parole violations.
But even decades after his death, Galvan‘s legend as the Flying Bandit remains alive and well in Canada. For ten thrilling years, Galvan pulled off the ultimate con, robbing banks across Canada with smooth politeness and vanishing into thin air.
Though he‘s gone, the tales of his crimes still resonate. Now let‘s dive into the details of this gentleman bandit‘s fascinating criminal career.
From War Hero to Gentleman Thief
Long before becoming a notorious outlaw, Gilbert Galvan Jr lived a lawful life. He was born in 1921 in San Antonio, Texas and served honorably in World War II.
After the war, Galvan worked various jobs as a delivery driver and mechanic. But over time, he veered into a life of crime. Galvan racked up burglary, theft and robbery charges in the 1950s United States, earning the nickname the “Gentleman Bandit” for his polite, non-violent heists.
In 1957, Galvan crossed the border to Canada and assumed a new alias – Kenneth Leishman. There, Leishman’s criminal exploits would become the stuff of legend.
The Flying Bandit Takes Flight
Leishman carefully planned each robbery using his polished con man skills. He‘d case each bank for days beforehand, learning the staff‘s routines.
When go time came, he‘d dress neatly in a suit and tie, arm himself with a stolen car and a handgun, and calmly stroll in just as the bank opened.
Flashing his gun discreetly, he‘d pass a note to the teller politely asking them to fill a briefcase with cash. Leishman never yelled or threatened violence. Most tellers handed over the money without resistance.
Within minutes, he‘d stroll out with thousands in stolen cash. After each heist, Leishman ditched the getaway car, wiped it clean of fingerprints, and fled the area quickly by plane under a new alias.
This smooth process allowed the Flying Bandit to hit 59 banks and make off with over $260,000 CAD ($2 million today). His habit of escaping by air gave rise to his nickname.
By the Numbers: The Flying Bandit‘s Robbery Spree
- Robberies: 59 over 10 years
- Total stolen: $260,000 CAD ($2 million today)
- Distance covered: Thousands of miles across Canada
- Aliases used: Over a dozen different names
- Getaway cars used: At least 30 vehicles
With his discreet, non-violent methods, Leishman evaded capture for nearly a decade. Let‘s look at some of his keys to "success."
Keys to the Flying Bandit‘s Success
- Meticulous planning and preparation
- Low-key manners to avoid violence
- Frequent moves and identity changes
- Escaping each province quickly by plane
- Leaving zero fingerprints at crime scenes
Leishman was no ordinary bank robber. His skills rivaledthose of the most brilliant con men in history. But they could only keep the law at bay for so long.
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h2>The Flying Bandit‘s Fall from the Sky
Like so many great thieves, it was a woman who proved Leishman‘s downfall.
In 1966, Leishman romanced a Toronto woman named Andrea Gannage under the alias Paul Wilson. He claimed he was in public relations. In reality, Gannage had fallen for the most wanted bank robber in Canada!
When she uncovered the truth, Leishman confessed that he was the Flying Bandit. He falsely claimed he was ready to retire from crime and settle down.
Conflicted, Gannage tipped off the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), agreeing to help set a trap for Leishman. He unwittingly walked right into it, only realizing too late that his lover had betrayed him.
After a short pursuit, the RCMP arrested the Flying Bandit without incident. The game was up.
By the Numbers: The Loot
When captured, Leishman had only $1,000 cash on his person. So where did the rest of the loot go?
- Total stolen: $260,000 CAD
- Spent on the run: ~$200,000 on travel, lodging, living expenses
- Stashes lost over time: ~$50,000?
- In his pocket when arrested: $1,000
Like most crooks, Leishman burned through nearly all the money funding his fugitive lifestyle. If any secret stashes exist, he took the locations to his grave.
The Flying Bandit Caged at Last
With the jig up, Leishman politely confessed to every single one of his 59 robberies. He expressed relief that his decade-long run was over.
In many eyes, his genteel manner made Leishman a sort of folk hero. But the law still had to punish his crimes. In 1967, he was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
Leishman served 10 years in a Canadian prison before being deported to the U.S. in 1977. But he violated parole upon returning stateside and was locked up again in Wisconsin.
On December 14, 1979, Kenneth Leishman died of heart disease in the prison hospital, age 58. And with him died the legend of the Flying Bandit.
The Flying Bandit‘s Net Worth When He Died
Given his high-flying lifestyle, you might expect Leishman died a rich man. But looks were deceiving.
In reality, his assets totaled less than $2,000 – essentially nothing. His meager belongings included:
- Some worn civilian clothes
- A small TV and books
- Toiletries
- Eyeglasses
- Craft supplies
- Under $500 in his prison account
With no spouse, children, or will emerging, Leishman‘s paltry estate went unclaimed. The great Flying Bandit died nearly penniless.
The Legend Lives On
While Leishman‘s story ended long ago, his legendary status as the Flying Bandit remains cemented in Canadian history. Opinions remain split on how to see him.
Some view Leishman as a gentleman thief in the vein of Robin Hood – a charismatic anti-hero who outfoxed the system. His politeness and lack of violence lend him an aura of roguish charm.
Others simply see a career criminal who harmfully traumatized innocent bank tellers to fund his own indulgent lifestyle. Though Leishman was no killer, he made the conscious choice to break the law and steal hard-earned money.
The debate around the Flying Bandit‘s legacy will surely continue for decades to come. But the facts remain – his exploits were extraordinary, and his life made for one incredible tale.
So there you have it, the full low-down on the Flying Bandit! While Gilbert Galvan Jr passed away long ago, his legend as the gentleman robber who charmed Canada lives on. I hope you enjoyed this wild trip through history with me! Stay curious, my friend.
