An Unknown Fact About Paddy Mitchell from the Stopwatch Gang

Another story from Kevin Mitchell, son of Paddy Mitchell leader of the Stopwatch Gang.

Surveillance footage of Paddy Mitchell from a 1991 robbery. Photo: Courtesy of Kevin Mitchell and McMasters University

 

In 1976 there was a rash of breakouts, riots and demonstrations at the Ottawa Carleton Regional Detention Centre. In January of that same year there was a serious hostage taking and things went from bad to worse. During one of the riots prisoners took over the institution and guards were held at knife point. The inmates threatened there would be a slaughter if their demands were not met.

Photo: Courtesy of Kevin Mitchell

 

 

Stopwatch Gang leader Paddy Mitchell who was a ‘patron’ in the detention centre at the time was called in to negotiate a truce between prisoners and guards. Within hours the riot was disbanded thus saving many lives thanks to Paddy. To this day nothing has ever been written in the press, but that was one reason Paddy had a lot of respect throughout his “questionable years” with some of the law enforcement.

“I can’t say I admire what they did, because it’s illegal,” one FBI agent who pursued the gang for years told me. “But I understood it. You have respect for the good ones, and the good ones treat you with respect.”

Mitchell is survived by his son Kevin from Carleton Place, his son in the Philippines, and two grandsons: Joey and Jacob.

Paddy always said, “There have been many stories told and written, but nobody’s got the story right yet.” This Bank Robber’s Life is Paddy’s version of one incredible story. It’ll have you laughing, crying and always on the edge of your seat. There is also another book  you will want to buy for your collection that Paddy wrote called: The Great Plane Robbery that you can buy on the same site.

Order his books here

Paddy Mitchell’s site

Kindle version available here

Local Man’s Dad Was Leader of The Stopwatch Gang