After 16 years on the run, Whitey Bulger was finally tracked down on Wednesday night in California. Bulger, now 81, had been on the FBI’s “10 Most Wanted List” for his alleged role in 19 murders when he was head of Boston's Winter Hill Gang.
Bulger was arrested in a Santa Monica apartment complex—where police found a stash of $800,000 plus 30 guns, some knives, and a several documents with false identifications, according to the FBI. Managers of the apartment said that Bulger moved in with his girlfriend 15 years ago and paid the rent in cash. The two called themselves Charles and Carol Gasko.
Their life on the lam was foiled by a series of daytime TV commercials put out by the FBI that showed pictures of both Bulger and his girlfriend. Just two days later, a tipster called in with information that led them to the Santa Monica hotel. The lucky informant is set to receive over $2 million for alerting the FBI.
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Bulger will be remanded back to Boston to face charges. Appearing before a judge in Los Angeles on Thursday, Bulger said he understood the charges he faced.
Bulger inspired Jack Nicholson’s role as the mob head Frank Costello 2006’s Oscar-winning film The Departed.
