Gentleman Bandit at Leopold cafe

Greg Smith

• 1977- In a 3 month spree, armed with an imitation pistol, he netted $32,650 AUD from 24 armed robberies
• He was known as the “Building Society Bandit” and the “Gentleman Bandit”, because he had chosen to rob only institutions with adequate insurance, he would wear a 3-piece suit, and he always said “please” and “thank you” to the people he robbed.
• 1978- He was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment for a series of armed robberies of building-society branches, credit unions and shops, committed with a toy pistol while addicted to heroin.
• 1980 – escaped from Victoria’s maximum security prison in broad daylight to become one of Australia’s most wanted men. Tortured while in solitary confinement.
• After briefly going to New Zealand, he lived in Mumbai, where he became involved with the local mafia, and lived there for 10 years.
• In Mumbai, was thrown into Arthur Road jail and tortured there as well, by being tied up, hung upside down and beaten with sticks.
• He was released from the jail some time later due to bribes paid by a senior member of the Indian mafia. Roberts ended up working for the mafia, smuggling drugs and passports.
• Some say he also went to war in Afghanistan to fight with the mujahedin.
• 1990 – captured in Frankfurt after being caught smuggling heroin into the country.
• Extradited to Australia and served a further six years in prison, two of which were spent in solitary confinement. He escaped prison again during that time, but then he relented and smuggled himself back into jail. His intention was to serve the rest of his sentence to give himself the chance to be reunited with his family.
• In prison he began writing a novel. The manuscript was destroyed by prison wardens, twice, while he was writing it.
• After leaving prison, he was able to finally finish and publish his novel. The book’s name comes from the name his best friend’s mother gave him, which means “Man of Peace,” or “Man of God’s Peace.”

Thanks to Vinod, Jemin and the clumsy waiter at Gokul; we came across the Author of “Shantaram.”  –  Gregory David Roberts at Leopold cafe

Update:

Some Videos I came across