Imported gunmen and killers carried out some of the gang's required activities, and it particular the machine gun slaying of three rival gang members through one shooting brought the power and influence of the gang to a higher level of public attention. This affinity for wholesale violence brought the gang into a position in which gang members were farmed out to carry out bombing, shooting, and strong-arm activities in the wars between the unions and business owners. With the rise in the level of local violence the police began to move against the Purple Gang, through the arrest of the Bernstein Brothers and other high-ranking gang members. With a major source of the gang's income cut off the Purple Gang formed an alliance with another local gang, who had been fighting off the advances of some New York based groups. Combining the bankroll of both gangs, money was raised to form a defense fund to aid the Bernstein Brothers and the others arrested and facing trail. The defense money was well spent, since the court handed down an acquittal. Someone had broken into the location of the major part of the evidence that would be utilized to prove extortion activities. During the late twenties, the Purple Gang reigned supreme over the Detroit underworld, controlling the city's vice, gambling, liquor, and drug trade. They also controlled the local wire service, which provided horseracing information to all of the Detroit horse betting parlors and handbooks. Times were good and it looked like the Purple Gang would remain on top for a long time to come. But events were taking place that would lead to a downfall for the group.
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