Robbers and Cops (Paperback or Softback)

Tucker brothers, Jim & Ben, forced from their poverty-stricken home, make poor choices that land them in a Georgia State prison chain gang. The younger Tucker commits a revenge murder in the most bizarre and torturous manner. Their fellow prisoners know, and the guards suspect him, but nothing can be proven. Released from prison early, with time off for good behavior, they commit a string of robberies as they travel across the depression struck country to Oregon. Here they join a gang of specialized commercial burglars.
A persistent Oregon State Police Detective is soon on the trail. With the help of a traitorous informant, he manages to get the brothers arrested and sent to prison.
Released back into society, the Tuckers vow never to commit a crime with anyone but each other. It isn't long before they are on the run. Changing names, they enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps only to wind up on Corregidor as World War II begins. Wounded, captured, and surviving the Bataan Death March, they ended the war as slave labor in a Japanese POW Camp. Discharged from the Marine Corps, they are soon out of money and return to robbery. They are arrested, convicted, and sent to separate federal prisons for two decades. Once their sentences are complete, the Tuckers again return to robbing banks. Detectives from San Mateo and San Leandro, California, dig for evidence against the brothers. Ben Tucker is eventually located and arrested. Jim Tucker negotiates with the San Mateo detective to surrender, if permitted to serve time, what will be a life sentence with his brother.