the non-extant neoclassical style first national bank and trust & company building (1918) - built by walter j. riley in east chicago, indian, is perhaps best known for being robbed by john dillinger in 1934. dillinger entered the bank at closing time on a friday in mid-january with accomplice john hamilton. after announcing the robbery, dillinger – armed with his submachine gun - herded bank customers in a corner while vice president walter spencer managed to trip the silent alarm. dilinger quickly disarmed police officer hobart wilgus as he arrived at the door. after securing over twenty thousand in cash, dillinger and hamilton left through the front door with two hostages used as shields. as they made their escape, officer william o’malley, who ducked out of the bank after wilgus was caught, began exchanging fire with dillinger. with the assistance of a bulletproof vest, dillinger survived the shootout and escaped while o’malley lay dead on the street. the bank’s other misfortune occurred in 2003, when the well-maintained building with completely intact lobby was a handed a death sentence. walgreens wanted the land to build a new store, so after a brief struggle the bank was bulldozed and replaced with a newly-built store and pharmacy. thankfully, ornament from both the interior and exterior was salvaged, including this chrome-plated cast bronze hinged teller cage. 16" in total diameter.