Dillinger-damaged theater to be auctioned

SOUTH BEND, Ind., July 3 (UPI) -- A South Bend, Ind., theater that retains bullet holes from a 1934 bank robbery by John Dillinger is due to be auctioned online, the auctioneers said.

The State Theatre, formerly called the Blackstone Theatre Vaudeville House, was purchased by an evangelical pastor three years ago as a venue for Christian entertainment but is now being auctioned due to the threat of foreclosure, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday.

The building sustained bullet marks to its marquee and terracotta facade during a June 30, 1934, shootout between Dillinger's gang and police following the robbery of South Bend's Merchants Bank.

The auction of the theater, scheduled for July 16-30, is being handled by NAI The Vaughan Co. of Albuquerque. Bidding will take place online at www.naiglobal.com/powersale.