On February 14, 1929, gang violence had reached an all-time high. When seven men who belonged to an enemy of Al Capone’s were lined up against an alley wall and shot to death, things had changed. Even though the officials tried, Al Capone was never linked back or charged with these crimes.

With Al Capone in charge of Chicago, he controlled most if not all the trading, bootlegging and gambling that happened. His net income in 1927 was $100 million a year. Today’s payout would be around $60 million.

Al Capone’s style was tracking down his enemies and eliminating them. He was known to gun down any of his rivals. He wanted full control over Chicago, so no one doubted that the Valentine’s Day massacre of 1929 was linked to Capone. Unfortunately, the police had very little evidence. Witnesses have said men dressed as police officers had gone inside the garage. When they came out, it appeared that they arrested the men inside. Then the ‘police officers’ lined the men up and killed them.

Even though Capone was blamed for this crime, he is known to be at his Florida vacation home during the time the act was committed. This is one of the most popular unsolved cases. Because of the lack of evidence, no one was arrested, no one was brought to trial, and no one was convicted. 

With all of Capone’s enemies terminated, you may say this was his prime time. But it was also his downfall. With his reputation, money, crime, and violence, Capone was deemed Public Enemy #1. The Federal agencies were tracking his every move. Even though he was careful, they were finally able to secure enough evidence to get him arrested and convicted. 

Capone was caught for minor crimes and served short periods of time. His longest period was 11 years, when he first was sent to Atlanta then to Alcatraz. He was released and spent the rest of his life in Florida as a recluse.