One crime story of the 1950s suggested that the underworld was a small world after all. It began in 1950, when armed robbers held up the Manufacturer's Trust Company in the Queens section of New York City. Two of the robbers were identified as Willie ("the Actor") Sutton and Thomas Kling, both career criminals. Subsequently, each was added to the FBI's "Most Wanted" list, Sutton in March and Kling in July, 1950.

Both remained free for almost two years. Sutton was recognized in New York by a subway passenger named Arnold Schuster, who reported the fugitive to the police. Kling, coincidentally, was captured by authorities two days later. Kling and Sutton were tried together for the robbery in Queens, and both received stiff prison sentences.

Unfortunately for Arnold Schuster, he became something, of a celebrity for his role in capturing Willie Sutton. When Mafia...