who was involved in the brinks robbery

As a cooperative measure, the information gathered by the FBI in the Brinks investigation was made available to the District Attorney of Suffolk County, Massachusetts. All but Pino and Banfield stepped out and proceeded into the playground to await Costas signal. Two other Baltimore police officers who were walking along the street nearby noted this maneuver. Brink's robbery WebLASD confirmed this was not a typical Brinks armored car seen in a city environment. Again, he was determined to fight, using the argument that his conviction for the 1948 larceny offense was not a basis for deportation. The thieves quickly bound the employees and began hauling away the loot. The robbers killed Peter Paige at the Nanuet Mall in front of a bank. A number of them discontinued their operations; others indicated a strong desire that the robbers be identified and apprehended. As this bag was being emptied later that evening, the glasses were discovered and destroyed by the gang. During an interview with him in the jail in Springfield, Massachusetts, in October 1954, special agents found that the plight of the missing Boston racketeer was weighing on OKeefes mind. Reports had been received alleging that he had held up several gamblers in the Boston area and had been involved in shakedowns of bookies. During the regular exercise period, Burke separated himself from the other prisoners and moved toward a heavy steel door leading to the solitary confinement section. (On January 18, 1956, OKeefe had pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of Brinks.) Even after these convictions, OKeefe and Gusciora continued to seek their release. Both are real characters. Faherty had been questioned on the night of the robbery. Occasionally, an offender who was facing a prison term would boast that he had hot information. He had been convicted of armed robbery in 1940 and served several months in the Massachusetts State Reformatory and the Norfolk, Massachusetts, Prison Colony. They spent about twenty minutes inside the vault, putting money into large canvas bags. (Investigation to substantiate this information resulted in the location of the proprietor of a key shop who recalled making keys for Pino on at least four or five evenings in the fall of 1949. Pino had been at his home in the Roxbury Section of Boston until approximately 7:00 p.m.; then he walked to the nearby liquor store of Joseph McGinnis. On September 8, 1950, OKeefe was sentenced to three years in the Bradford County jail at Towanda and fined $3,000 for violation of the Uniform Firearms Act. Had any particles of evidence been found in the loot which might directly show that they had handled it? WebA Byte Out of HistoryThe Great Brinks Robbery. McGinnis had been arrested at the site of a still in New Hampshire in February 1954. After careful checking, the FBI eliminated eight of the suspects. When this case was continued until April 1, 1954, OKeefe was released on $1,500 bond. Livvy Haydock: 'Disabled gangsters supported me with my MS ), (After serving his sentence, Fat John resumed a life of crime. THE Brink's-Mat robbery is one of the most notorious crimes in British history. Here, we look at the people involved and where they are now. He had been released on parole from the Norfolk, Massachusetts, Prison Colony on August 22, 1949only five months before the robbery. After O'Keefe was released he was taken to stand trial for another burglary and parole violations and was released on a bail of $17,000. During the period in which Pinos deportation troubles were mounting, OKeefe completed his sentence at Towanda, Pennsylvania. Robinson died in a London When the robbers decided that they needed a truck, it was resolved that a new one must be stolen because a used truck might have distinguishing marks and possibly would not be in perfect running condition. He arrived in Baltimore on the morning of June 3 and was picked up by the Baltimore Police Department that evening. One Massachusetts racketeer, a man whose moral code mirrored his long years in the underworld, confided to the agents who were interviewing him, If I knew who pulled the job, I wouldnt be talking to you now because Id be too busy trying to figure a way to lay my hands on some of the loot.. Police heard through their informers that O'Keefe and Gusciora demanded money from Pino and MacGinnis in Boston to fight their convictions. Pino could have been at McGinnis liquor store shortly after 7:30 p.m. on January 17, 1950, and still have participated in the robbery. Then, there was the fact that so much dead wood was includedMcGinnis, Banfield, Costa, and Pino were not in the building when the robbery took place. For other similarly-named robberies in 1981, 1983 and 2008, see, "Historical Photos: Boston's Great Brinks Robbery", "A quarter-century laterBrink's robber admits guilt to Globe", "O'Keefe Says Brink's Holdup Gang Vowed To Kill Any Member Who Periled Others", "Specs O'Keefe, Informant In Brink's Robbery, Dies", "Tony Pino, 67, Participated In '50 Boston Brinks Holdup", "Adolph (Jazz) Maffie; Last Survivor of Brink's Gang", "Six Arrests Break $1,218,211 Brink's Robbery", "Brink Robbery History Recalled After Decade", "$1,500,000 HOLDUP: 7 Masked Men Rob Brink's, Boston; Leave Another Million", "The False-Face Bandits: Greed Wrecked the Brink's Case Gang", "Gang of Nine Robs Brink's at Boston; $150,000 Reward Out", Historical Photos: Boston's Great Brinks Robbery. Each of them had surreptitiously entered the premises on several occasions after the employees had left for the day. The alibi was strong, but not conclusive. This was a question which preyed heavily upon their minds. At 10:25 p.m. on October 5, 1956, the jury retired to weigh the evidence. In the late summer of 1944, he was released from the state prison and was taken into custody by Immigration authorities. Jazz Maffie was convicted of federal income tax evasion and began serving a nine-month sentence in the Federal Penitentiary at Danbury, Connecticut, in June 1954. Of the eleven people involved in the robbery, eight would receive life sentences after a trial, with two others dying before they could be convicted. Before removing the remainder of the loot from the house on January 18, 1950, the gang members attempted to identify incriminating items. The pair recruited criminal Kenneth Noye, an expert in his field, who The As the robbers sped from the scene, a Brinks employee telephoned the Boston Police Department. The Brink's Mat Bullion Heist FBI investigates $150 million jewelry heist of Brinks truck traveling involved Before they left, however, approximately $380,000 was placed in a coal hamper and removed by Baker for security reasons. There were recurring rumors that this hoodlum, Joseph Sylvester Banfield (pictured), had been right down there on the night of the crime. In the fall of 1955, an upper court overruled the conviction on the grounds that the search and seizure of the still were illegal.). Through the interviews of persons in the vicinity of the Brinks offices on the evening of January 17, 1950, the FBI learned that a 1949 green Ford stake-body truck with a canvas top had been parked near the Prince Street door of Brinks at approximately the time of the robbery. A search of the hoodlums room in a Baltimore hotel (registered to him under an assumed name) resulted in the location of $3,780 that the officers took to police headquarters. By fixing this time as close as possible to the minute at which the robbery was to begin, the robbers would have alibis to cover their activities up to the final moment. WebAt 6.30 am on 26 November 1983, a South London gang of six armed robbers, headed by Brian Robinson and Mickey McAvoy, broke into the Brinks Mat warehouse at Heathrow Airport, expecting to make off with about 3 million in cash. All were guilty. In December 1954, he indicated to the agents that Pino could look for rough treatment if he (OKeefe) again was released. The detainer involved OKeefes violation of probation in connection with a conviction in 1945 for carrying concealed weapons. Through long weeks of empty promises of assistance and deliberate stalling by the gang members, he began to realize that his threats were falling on deaf ears. At approximately 7:00 p.m. on January 17, 1950, members of the gang met in the Roxbury section of Boston and entered the rear of the Ford stake-body truck. A Secret Service agent, who had been summoned by the Baltimore officers, arrived while the criminal was being questioned at the police headquarters, and after examining the money found in the bill changers possession, he certified that it was not counterfeit. By this time, Baker was suffering from a bad case of nerves. Two members of the gang were quickly caught but the Except for $5,000 that he took before placing the loot in Maffies care, OKeefe angrily stated, he was never to see his share of the Brinks money again. During this operation, one of the employees had lost his glasses; they later could not be found on the Brinks premises. Pino previously had arranged for this man to keep his shop open beyond the normal closing time on nights when Pino requested him to do so. McGinnis, who had not been at the scene on the night of the robbery, received a life sentence on each of eight indictments that charged him with being an accessory before the fact in connection with the Brinks robbery. He was paroled in the fall of 1944 and remained on parole through March 1954 when misfortune befell him. The alibi, in fact, was almost too good. Gusciora now had passed beyond the reach of all human authority, and OKeefe was all the more determined to see that justice would be done. A federal search warrant was obtained, and the home was searched by agents on April 27, 1950. As a government witness, he reluctantly would have testified against him. FBI A Byte Out of History - Brinks Robbery Banfield, the driver, was alone in the front. As a guard moved to intercept him, Burke started to run. O'Keefe cooperated with writer Bob Considine on The Men Who Robbed Brink's, a 1961 "as told to" book about the robbery and its aftermath. In the deportation fight that lasted more than two years, Pino won the final victory. Subsequently, he engaged in a conversation with McGinnis and a Boston police officer. Their plan was to enter the Brinks building and take a truck containing payrolls. As the truck sped away with nine members of the gangand Costa departed in the stolen Ford sedanthe Brinks employees worked themselves free and reported the crime. He claimed he had been drinking in various taverns from approximately 5:10 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. Brinks One of his former girl friends who recalled having seen him on the night of the robbery stated that he definitely was not drunk. Even in their jail cells, however, they showed no respect for law enforcement. While Maffie claimed that part of the money had been stolen from its hiding place and that the remainder had been spent in financing OKeefes legal defense in Pennsylvania, other gang members accused Maffie of blowing the money OKeefe had entrusted to his care. This incident also took place in Dorchester and involved the firing of more than 30 shots. The removal of the lock cylinder from the outside door involved the greatest risk of detection. Interviews with him on June 3 and 4, 1956, disclosed that this 31-year-old hoodlum had a record of arrests and convictions dating back to his teens and that he had been conditionally released from a federal prison camp less than a year beforehaving served slightly more than two years of a three-year sentence for transporting a falsely made security interstate. On November 16, 1959, the United States Supreme Court denied a request of the defense counsel for a writ of certiorari. (Burke was arrested by FBI agents at Folly Beach, South Carolina, on August 27, 1955, and he returned to New York to face murder charges which were outstanding against him there. Both men remained mute following their arrests. Within minutes, theyd stolen more than $1.2 million in cash and another $1.5 million in checks and other securities, making it the largest robbery in the U.S. at the time. The robbery was first conceived in 1947; however, in 1948, after months of planning, the group learned that Brink's had moved to a new location. Brains behind the 26million Brink [17], Immediately following the robbery, Police Commissioner Thomas F. Sullivan sent a mobilization order for all precinct captains and detectives. The discovery of this money in the Tremont Street offices resulted in the arrests of both Fat John and the business associate of the criminal who had been arrested in Baltimore. This vehicle was traced through motor vehicle records to Pino. After a period of hostility, he began to display a friendly attitude. In pursuing the underworld rumors concerning the principal suspects in the Brinks case, the FBI succeeded in identifying more probable members of the gang. Fact vs Fiction: The Gold did the Brink's-Mat robbers get caught? The month preceding January 17, 1950, witnessed approximately a half-dozen approaches to Brinks. In the hours immediately following the robbery, the underworld began to feel the heat of the investigation. Calumet City crime: Brinks armored truck robbery suspects Since the robbery had taken place between approximately 7:10 and 7:27 p.m., it was quite probable that a gang, as well drilled as the Brinks robbers obviously were, would have arranged to rendezvous at a specific time. He told the interviewing agents that he trusted Maffie so implicitly that he gave the money to him for safe keeping. Released to McKean County, Pennsylvania, authorities early in January 1954 to stand trial for burglary, larceny, and receiving stolen goods, OKeefe also was confronted with a detainer filed by Massachusetts authorities. Brian The Colonel Robinson, 78, was cheated out of his share of the record haul. Following the federal grand jury hearings, the FBIs intense investigation continued. This chauffeurs cap was left at the scene of the crime of the centurythe 1950 robbery of a Brink's bank branch in Massachusetts. OKeefe wore crepe-soled shoes to muffle his footsteps; the others wore rubbers. The Gold - Meet the cast of the drama inspired by the true story They were held in lieu of bail which, for each man, amounted to more then $100,000. O'Keefe pleaded guilty January 18. The recovery of part of the loot was a severe blow to the gang members who still awaited trial in Boston. You get me released, and Ill solve the case in no time, these criminals would claim. Both denied knowledge of the loot that had been recovered. The ninth man had long been a principal suspect. Approximately one and one-half hours later, Banfield returned with McGinnis. Each carried a pair of gloves. In addition, although violent dissension had developed within the gang, there still was no indication that any of the men were ready to talk. Based on the available information, however, the FBI felt that OKeefes disgust was reaching the point where it was possible he would turn against his confederates. In addition to the general descriptions received from the Brinks employees, the investigators obtained several pieces of physical evidence. 'Holy Heist' documentary to bring the Rochester Brink's heist to TV OKeefe had left his hotel at approximately 7:00 p.m. Pino and Baker separately decided to go out at 7:00 p.m. Costa started back to the motor terminal at about 7:00 p.m. Other principal suspects were not able to provide very convincing accounts of their activities that evening. Adolph Maffie was convicted and sentenced to nine months for income tax evasion. Stanley Gusciora (pictured left), who had been transferred to Massachusetts from Pennsylvania to stand trial, was placed under medical care due to weakness, dizziness, and vomiting. (A detailed survey of the Boston waterfront previously had been made by the FBI.) A thorough investigation was made concerning his whereabouts on the evening of January 17, 1950. All efforts to identify the persons responsible for the theft and the persons who had cut up the truck were unsuccessful. The other gun was picked up by the officer and identified as having been taken during the Brinks robbery. There was Adolph Jazz Maffie, one of the hoodlums who allegedly was being pressured to contribute money for the legal battle of OKeefe and Gusciora against Pennsylvania authorities. He received a one-year sentence for this offense; however, on January 30, 1950, the sentence was revoked and the case was placed on file.. Three of the remaining five gang members were previously accounted for, OKeefe and Gusciora being in prison on other charges and Banfield being dead. Until the FBI and its partners painstakingly solved the case. During this visit, Gusciora got up from his bed, and, in full view of the clergyman, slipped to the floor, striking his head. WebGordon John Parry, Brian Perry, Patrick Clark, Jean Savage and Anthony Black were all given between five and 10 years in prison for their part in the crime. Race tracks and gambling establishments also were covered in the hope of finding some of the loot in circulation. According to the criminal who was arrested in Baltimore, Fat John subsequently told him that the money was part of the Brinks loot and offered him $5,000 if he would pass $30,000 of the bills. Brinks customers were contacted for information regarding the packaging and shipping materials they used. Their success in evading arrest ended abruptly on May 16, 1956, when FBI agents raided the apartment in which they were hiding in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Brink Geagan claimed that he spent the evening at home and did not learn of the Brinks robbery until the following day. With the death of Gusciora, only eight members of the Brinks gang remained to be tried. After completing its hearings on January 9, 1953, the grand jury retired to weigh the evidence. A roll of waterproof adhesive tape used to gag and bind bank employees that was left at the scene of the crime. Banfield drove the truck to the house of Maffies parents in Roxbury. After the truck parts were found, additional suspicion was attached to these men. Almost immediately, the gang began laying new plans. Prior to his murder, WebJudith Clark was paroled in 2019 after then Gov. Although the attendant did not suspect that the robbery was taking place, this incident caused the criminals to move more swiftly. An immediate effort also was made to obtain descriptive data concerning the missing cash and securities. The hideout also was found to contain more than $5,000 in coins. During questioning by the FBI, the money changer stated that he was in business as a mason contractor with another man on Tremont Street in Boston. [14] They each wore a chauffeur cap, pea (Following pleas of guilty in November 1956, Fat John received a two-year sentence, and the other two men were sentenced to serve one years imprisonment. Gordon John Parry, Brian Perry, Patrick Clark, Jean Savage and Anthony Black were all given between five and 10 years in prison for their part in the crime. McGinness masterminded the crime. Meet the man who cracked one of Britain's biggest heists acknowledges it was involved in the gold transport. Shakur's conviction includes planning the $1.6 million Brinks robbery in Rockland on Oct. 20, 1981. Again, the FBIs investigation resulted merely in the elimination of more possible suspects. In addition, McGinnis received other sentences of two years, two and one-half to three years, and eight to ten years. In its determination to overlook no possibility, the FBI contacted various resorts throughout the United States for information concerning persons known to possess unusually large sums of money following the robbery. Veteran criminals throughout the United States found their activities during mid-January the subject of official inquiry. Even with the recovery of this money in Baltimore and Boston, more than $1,150,000 of currency taken in the Brinks robbery remained unaccounted for. (Geagan, who was on parole at the time, left the truck before it arrived at the home in Roxbury where the loot was unloaded. From their prison cells, they carefully followed the legal maneuvers aimed at gaining them freedom. The new proceedings were based upon the fact that Pino had been arrested in December 1948 for a larceny involving less than $100. After continuing up the street to the end of the playground which adjoined the Brinks building, the truck stopped. When the employees were securely bound and gagged, the robbers began looting the premises. On January 12, 1956, just five days before the statute of limitations was to run out, the FBI arrested Baker, Costa, Geagan, Maffie, McGinnis, and Pino. All denied any knowledge of the alleged incident. The wall partition described by the Boston criminal was located in Fat Johns office, and when the partition was removed, a picnic-type cooler was found. Prominent among the other strong suspects was Vincent James Costa, brother-in-law of Pino. Minutes later, police arrived at the Brinks building, and special agents of the FBI quickly joined in the investigation. And the gang felt that the chances of his talking were negligible because he would be implicated in the Brinks robbery along with the others. Boston Strangler starring Keira Knightley as Milton reporter hits Hulu The amusement arcade operator told the officer that he had followed the man who passed this $10.00 bill to a nearby tavern. A systematic check of current and past Brinks employees was undertaken; personnel of the three-story building housing the Brinks offices were questioned; inquiries were made concerning salesmen, messengers, and others who had called at Brinks and might know its physical layout as well as its operational procedures. The robbery received significant press coverage, and was eventually adapted into four movies. At that time, Pino approached OKeefe and asked if he wanted to be in on the score. His close associate, Stanley Gusciora, had previously been recruited, and OKeefe agreed to take part. Commonly regarded as a dominant figure in the Boston underworld, McGinnis previously had been convicted of robbery and narcotics violations. The roofs of buildings on Prince and Snow Hill Streets soon were alive with inconspicuous activity as the gang looked for the most advantageous sites from which to observe what transpired inside Brinks offices. An appeal was promptly noted, and he was released on $15,000 bond. Fact or fiction? The truth behind TV crime dramas WebNext year January 2023 to be precise will mark 30 years since the Brink's depot in Rochester was looted for $7.4 million, then the fifth largest armored car company heist in During the trip from Roxbury, Pino distributed Navy-type peacoats and chauffeurs caps to the other seven men in the rear of the truck. From left, Sgt. Among the early suspects was Anthony Pino, an alien who had been a principal suspect in numerous major robberies and burglaries in Massachusetts. Costa claimed that after working at the motor terminal until approximately 5:00 p.m. on January 17, 1950, he had gone home to eat dinner; then, at approximately 7:00 p.m., he left to return to the terminal and worked until about 9:00 p.m. They were checked against serial numbers of bills known to have been included in the Brinks loot, and it was determined that the Boston criminal possessed part of the money that had been dragged away by the seven masked gunmen on January 17, 1950. WebGordon John Parry, Brian Perry, Patrick Clark, and Jean Savage were all convicted at the Old Bailey. Fat John announced that each of the packages contained $5,000. Some persons claimed to have seen him. From the size of the loot and the number of men involved, it was logical that the gang might have used a truck. Examination revealed the cause of his death to be a brain tumor and acute cerebral edema.
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