Cresta, Phil, Sr. (father of P.C.), 13–16, 17
Cresta, Rose (sister of P.C.), 13, 16, 18, 211, 225, 229
Cresta, “Ruth” (mother of P.C.), 13, 14, 15, 18
crimes/criminals: education of, 89; independent, 33, 92; planning of crimes, 38, 47; publicity and, 73–74; respect among, 33, 34; slang of, 28, 29, 41, 42, 142; suspended sentences, 150–52, 159, 161
Crisp, Detective Alan, 187
Crowley, Billy, xiii–xvii, 226
Cushman (informant), 63–66, 68, 69, 70
Daley, Richard, 201–2
DeLeary, Andrew (Brink’s guard), 165–72, 182–88, 196, 222, 223; Cresta’s desire to kill, 212, 213; Cresta’s trial and, 219, 220, 221; life after Brink’s trial, 228; pressure on, 197; sentencing of, 193; share of Brink’s money, 225
DeMarco, Joseph “Angie,” 23–24, 29, 156
DeSaulnier, Judge Edward J., Jr., 227
Diaferio, Patricia, 162, 194
Diaferio, Santo “Sonny”: abortive Brink’s attempt and, 169, 170, 173, 174, 175; Brink’s armored car heist (1968) and, 177, 178, 180, 222; given up by Red Kelley, 193; trial of, 193–94; in Walpole Prison, 219
Diamond Extravaganza, 4, 7
Diamonds, Louie. See Cohen, Louie
disguises. See masks; uniforms
Doherty, Sgt. Jim, 22, 24–25, 157, 160; Cresta’s suspended sentence and, 153, 156; memories of Cresta, 229
Doyle, Bill, 30
Droney, John, 23, 24
Dunaway, Faye, 133
“ears” (informants), 41–43, 74
Echeles, Julius (mob attorney), 208, 209
eyewitnesses, 122–23, 124–25, 126
Farese, Alfred Paul (defense attorney), 210, 218–19, 220–23
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), xvi, 123–24, 127, 151, 181, 191; arrest of Cresta, 208–9; Cresta’s trial for Brink’s heist and, 223–24; description of Cresta, xvii; manhunt for Cresta, 195–98, 201–3, 203, 210; Ten Most Wanted List, 194, 198, 208, 212, 230; witness protection program, 228
fencing (sale of stolen goods), 10, 11, 58–59
Fenway Motor Inn, 7, 40, 44, 132, 145; Brink’s armored car heist (1968) and, 173; canceled-check robbery and, 65, 66, 68; as Cresta’s residence, 5, 43, 192; jewel theft and, 91, 114
Ferriola, Joseph “Joe Negall,” 4, 194–95
field interrogation observations (FIOs), xvi, 173
Fisher, Bernard (guard), 121, 122, 124
Fitzgerald, Lt. Henry, 23
Flemmi, Jimmy “The Butcher,” 21
Flemmi, Steve “The Rifleman,” 200
Follies Burlesque Theater (Chicago), 4, 60, 194, 203
Ford, Whitey, 42, 55
Frank (barber), 54
Franklin House of Correction, 151
Furcolo, Gov. Foster, 24, 156, 157
furs, theft of, 75–81, 104, 126
Gambino family, 84, 88–89, 92, 97, 111
gambling, 38, 61
gangs, 200
Giancana, Sam, 74
Gilberti, Cosmo, 211
Gillespie, John (Brink’s guard), 167, 177, 181
Great Plymouth Mail Robbery (1962), 161–62, 163–64, 169, 174
greed, 127
guards, 48–50, 65–66, 99–100, 165; “inside men” among, 165–72
Gustin Gang, 18–19
Haines, Richard (Brink’s guard), 167, 177, 178, 179; at Cresta’s trial, 220–21; escape after Brink’s holdup, 180–81
Halliday, Detective John, 68
Higgins, Lt. Edward, 148–50
highwaymen robberies, 95–98, 105–8, 109, 110, 126; Bain hit, 111–12, 117–20
Hollywood actress, fur heist and, 76–81
Hoover, J. Edgar, xv, xvii, 37, 127; death of, 201; manhunt for Cresta and, 195, 197
Horrigan, Thomas F., 181
Hutchinson, Detective Charlie, 59
informants, 41–43, 63, 64, 74, 129, 145–46
Innocenti, Officer Eugene, 180–81
insurance companies, 73, 115, 120
Irish, Johnny, 136, 228, 229
Jackie the Wolf, 58, 59, 60–61
jewel theft, 38, 84–86, 92–95, 104; highwaymen robberies, 95–98, 105–12, 117–20, 126; Kay Jewelers heist, 138–45, 161, 213, 215; Parker House Hotel heist, 3–11, 60, 73, 112
Jordan, Peter, 23
judges, bribing of, 153–54, 157, 160, 227
Kansas City, 73–81, 83, 93, 194
Kay Jewelers heist, 138–45, 161, 213, 215
Kelley, Clarence, 209
Kelley, Jack “Red,” 161–89, 224;
Brink’s heist (1968), 173–89, 193; Cresta’s desire to kill, 212, 213; life after Brink’s trial, 228; sentencing of, 193; as witness against Cresta, 210, 218–19, 220, 221, 222–23
Kelly, Joseph (Brink’s guard), 167, 177, 181
Kennedy, John F., 27, 28, 29
keys, duplication of, 22, 29–30, 38, 89, 171–72, 222
King, Gov. Edward J., 227
Korshak, Sid, 76
Lansky, Meyer, 18
Las Vegas, 74, 194
legal jobs, 47
“Leonard, Detective Joe,” 59
loan sharks, 58, 74
lock picking, 21–22, 56, 58, 85, 138; attractions of, 29; in prison, 18, 224
Logan International Airport, 6, 29, 61, 74; car theft at, 40, 93, 101, 115
Lombardo, Joseph, 19, 20
Lowry, Leo, 162, 223
Luciano, Lucky, 18
Lurie, Judge Rueben L., 189
made men, 33, 53, 132
Mafia: in Boston, 18–25; in Chicago, 4, 18, 29, 76, 201–4, 225; in Kansas City, 75; in Miami, 225; tradesmen associated with, 38–39. See also Cosa Nostra, La; wise guys
Manfra, Detective Anthony, 103
Mantle, Mickey, 42, 55
Maris, Roger, 55
Martin, Billy, 42
masks, 39, 55, 96, 119, 122, 123, 177
Massachusetts Reformatory, 17, 24
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 32
Mazares, Detective Gregory, 187
McAleney, Edward, 137–60, 147, 162; courtroom plea of, 154, 155, 158–60; death of, 229; Kay Jewelers job and, 138–45
McDonald, Thomas (police officer), 149
McGarrity, Officer George, 181
McGrail’s bar (Boston), 54, 70, 86, 90, 137; aftermath of Kay Jewelers bust, 141–42; Cresta out on bail in, 211–12; Cresta’s dealings with police in, 196–97; ears (informants) at, 42–43, 64; formation of Cresta’s crime team and, 34, 35; Parker House Hotel heist and, 4–5, 10; Red Sox fandom and, 129–30
McNamara, Edmund (police commissioner), 179, 181
McPartland, Joseph P. (defense attorney), 150–51
Merlino, Carmello: abortive Brink’s attempt and, 169, 170, 173, 174, 175; Brink’s armored car heist (1968) and, 176, 178, 179, 180; given up by Red Kelley, 193; sentencing of, 193; in Walpole Prison, 219
method of operation (MO), 39, 51, 96
Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) police: Brink’s armored car heist (1968) and, 180–81; canceled-check robbery and, 68; highwaymen robberies and, 96, 118, 119–20; jurisdiction of, xv–xvi; Kay Jewelers heist and, 145
Miami, Mafia in, 225
moles (informants), 42, 129
money, 137; bribing of judges, 153; informants and, 42; laundering of, 19; respect and, 34
Montalo, Detective Joseph, 68
Murray, Jackie, 162, 223
Nee (man in South Boston), 108
Nester, Paul, 59–60
New England Food Fair, 99, 100, 101
New England Patriots, 49
Nitti, Frank “The Enforcer,” 4, 18, 29
Norfolk Prison, xvi, 17, 18
Noyes, Henry, 23
O’Malley, Detective Harry, 103
omas pens, theft of, 85–89, 92
organized crime. See Cosa Nostra, La; Mafia
Paris, Chester (defense attorney), 188–89
Parker House Hotel heist, 3–11, 60, 73, 112
pa
rking meters, robbery of, 48, 89, 109; Cresta’s underworld reputation and, 33, 34; Kennedy inauguration (1961) and, 27–32; planning for, 38
parole, 28
Patriarca, Raymond, 42, 63, 201, 218; Billy “Bad” Cresta and, 132; in prison, 228; as successor to Phil Buccola, 19
pens, theft of, 85–89, 92
Persico, Carmine “The Snake,” 136, 229
Peterson, J. (police officer), 149
picks (lock pickers), 29
police, 7, 36, 58, 109; baffled by Cresta’s methods, xi, 96–97, 196–98; Brink’s job (1968) and, 180–81, 187–89; in Chicago, 202, 203, 207; diamond merchants and, 112–15; informants among, 145–46; Kay Jewelers heist and, 139–40, 145, 152–53; organized crime unit, 175, 191; paid off, 41
prison, 21–22, 42. See also Norfolk
Prison; Walpole Prison prostitutes, 76
publicity, 73–74, 115–16, 201
Rasmussen, Robert, 162, 223
Red Sox baseball team, 42, 43, 44, 62; Impossible Dream year (1967), 129–30
Reddy, Michael, 138, 140, 147, 150, 151, 154
Rideout, Percy, 54–59, 61, 73
Robichaud, John, 21
Roukous, Stephen: abortive Brink’s attempt and, 169, 170, 174; Brink’s armored car heist (1968) and, 176, 178, 179, 180; given up by Red Kelley, 193; in Walpole Prison, 194, 219
Roy, Judge James C., 193–94, 209–10, 220, 221
safe cracking, 56–57
Sagansky, Doc, 43
Schultz, Dutch, 18
Sezinsky, Edward (eyewitness), 122–23
Skelly armored cars, 99–104, 192
Skelly Detective Agency, 50
slang, 28, 29, 41, 42
Sobil, Julius (defense attorney), 159
South Boston (Southie), xiii, 13, 86, 107
Spillane, Detective Patrick, 187
stamp collections, 54, 55, 57–58
Sullivan, James (assistant D.A.), 210, 218–20, 222
Tilley, Ben, 51, 69, 193, 229; Cresta’s settling of scores with, 213–17; highwaymen robberies and, 97–98, 110; Kay Jewelers heist and, 141, 143–44, 145, 158, 159, 160; manhunt for Cresta and, 203; media attention and, 73; parking-meter scam and, 31–32, 34, 35; Rideout case and, 59–60, 61; Tony and, 105–7; VA Hospital job and, 200
“Tilley factor,” 61
Tony (crime partner of Cresta), 101, 102–3, 211; armored car robbery and, 49–51, 65–71, 161–89; bank robbery and, 44–45; car theft and, 39–40; characteristics, 37; in court, 151; danger from Angiulo, 105–8; at farmhouse, 110; first meeting with Cresta, 36; given up by Red Kelley, 193; highwaymen robberies and, 118; jewelry theft and, 92–98, 113–14, 138–45, 144–60; in Kansas City, 74–81; meeting with Red Kelley, 162–69; in New York, 83–88; Parker House Hotel heist and, 4–9; Rideout robbery and, 53–62; sentencing of, 193; VA Hospital job and, 126, 127; in Walpole Prison, 201, 213, 217–18, 219
Tropicana Hotel (Kansas City), 75, 76
uniforms: alarm mechanic, 138; armored car guards, 101, 103; hotel maintenance workers, 78–79; industrial cleaning men, 44–45; made to order, 39; painters, 55–56; parking meter attendant, 38–39; security guard, 100
VA Hospital robbery, 121–27, 200
vaults, 89, 109
violence, 121–27
Waggenheim, Phil, 23
Wallace, Frankie, 18–19
Walpole Prison, 63, 147, 151; Cresta in, 21–22, 224, 225; Cresta’s acquaintances and friends from, 137, 162; Diaferio and Roukous sentenced to, 194; informants and, 41; slang in, 28; Tony and Angelo in, 193, 201, 217–18, 219
Walsh, Barney, 19
Walsh, Detective Ed, 187
wealthy people, robbery of, 53–59
weather conditions, 24–25; Brink’s armored car heist (1968) and, 173, 174, 176, 178; Quincy armored car heist and, 48, 49, 51
Whitfield, Joseph, 50
Winter, Howie, xv, 200–201
Winter Hill Gang, 201
wise guys, xvi, 73, 74, 105, 130; Cresta’s differences from, 37–38; murder of, 162, 194–95; muscling in on others’ score, 139. See also Cosa Nostra, La; Mafia
Zito, Joey Paul (Cresta alias), 77, 201, 202, 204, 207, 210
Zito, Molly (second wife), 203, 207, 208, 212
Acknowledgments
I want to thank especially my wife and best friend, Laurie Wallace, who always believed in me when others didn’t. Without Laurie’s support and encouragement, this book would never have been written. I also want to thank Brendan and Cullen McGoff for their love, support, and friendship and for keeping me grounded.
Thanks as well to Joe Timilty, who got me started and showed me the way, and to my friends at Northeastern University Press, Bill Frohlich, Jill Bahcall, Ann Twombly, and Sarah Rowley. Many thanks to an expert editor, Diana Donovan, who taught me a great deal about writing, and to Gil Geis, who also helped to shape the book. Thanks to Coley, Helen, Eddie Wallace, and Jack Geary, who never lost their faith in me. Thanks also to Dennis Lehane, Robert Parker, Gerry O’Neil, and Robin Moore, four great writers who wrote such nice things about our book. Thanks to my other family, the Flynns, and to the Greeleys, the Grahams, and the O’Keefes. Thanks to Dan Horgan, who gave me the opportunity to write. Thanks to my good friend Steve Sweeney. Thanks to Sheriff Richard Rouse, Councilor Mickey Roache, and Bill Ferney. And a very special thanks to all my friends in South Boston.
BRIAN P. WALLACE
Special thanks to my mother, Mary Crowley. Thanks to Bobby Cresta, Zack Piscitello, Joe “Pint” Panetta, Mary Mills, Mary Toland, Paul Gagliardi, Bobby, Simone, John Blute, Eddie Correia, the Crowley family, and the O’Connor family.
BILL CROWLEY
Final Confession Page 24