Mob boss caught after 15yrs on the run

Mob boss caught after 15yrs on the run

A notorious mob boss aged 81 has been caught after 16 years on the run.

Master of disguise James "Whitey" Bulger was wanted for the murders of 19 people when he turned fugitive in 1995.

As the former kingpin of Boston's violent Irish-American gang Winter Hill he had made it on to the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted List' in 1999.

Since then, the success with which he evaded capture inspired books and Hollywood film The Departed - starring Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio.

He was finally arrested last night with his companion, Catherine Greig, 60, in Santa Monica, California.

A source said: "We got a tip and showed up at his door and it was him."

It was not known how long the pair had been living in Santa Monica but officials said it was "maybe years".

Greig was not implicated in the gangland crimes of her partner, but was wanted for harbouring him.

There was a $2million (RM6.085 million) reward for his capture. FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauries said they had acted on a tip-off after a publicity campaign.

Bulger is thought to have travelled widely during his years on the run, spending time in Europe, Mexico and Canada.

A warrant for his arrest on racketeering charges was issued in January 1995.

But he fled before the FBI could get to him after a suspected tip-off from a law enforcement source.

He was later identified as a long-serving FBI informant and indicted on 19 murder charges stemming from killings in the 1970s and 1980s.

Agents still feel the effects of public distrust he created by infiltrating the FBI and other government agencies.

Agent Richard Teahan said before his arrest: "He left a scar on the community that will only be fully healed when he has been captured."
Source: The Sun, UK

Published June 24 2011