Part 6/10:
Right as his fortunes seemed to dwindle, new opportunities opened up to him in armed robbery, including high-stakes heists and bold thefts from wealthy homes. By 1930, Lester and his crew had gained notoriety as the "Tape Bandits” for their trademark method of restraining victims before robbing them.
The Infamous Criminal Duo
As the notoriety increased, so did the violence. Each heist brought with it a deeper descent into brutal chaos, leading to the first known murder of his criminal career. With each robbery, he was merely fueled by the thrill of crime rather than the money gained. Through these developments and increasing publicity, he ultimately adopted the name Babyface Nelson, a title he would come to resent as it suggested a playfulness contrary to his violent nature.