How One Pickpocket Changed Policing Forever

From the creator

Made in partnership with the film Crime and Punishment in America: https://www.pbs.org/show/crime-and-punishment-in-america/ George Appo was orphaned after his father was sentenced to Sing Sing for murder. Homeless by nine, he came of age in Gilded Age New York, where economic hardship made crime a pathway to survival. Appo rose from pickpocket to counterfeit con artist, surviving prison and the loss of an eye before unexpectedly becoming a key witness against police officers who had accepted bribes from criminals. ***** PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: https://to.pbs.org/DonateRH Check out the rebranded PBS Documentaries (formerly PBS Voices) channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PBSDocumentaries ***** Rogue History It’s been said that history is written by those in power. But what about the outlaws, outcasts, and rogues? What if they had their say? Rogue History, a digital series produced by PBS Digital Studios and PBS North Carolina, shakes the dust off the history books to unravel myths, unearth narratives, and discover fresh perspectives. Subscribe to PBS Origins so you never miss an episode! https://www.youtube.com/pbsorigins And keep up with Rogue History and PBS Origins on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PBSDigitalStudios/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/pbsds Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbsds

Published 2026-11-10 · Watch on YouTube ↗
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