Mob boss in 1978 Lufthansa heist arrested
- 10 years ago
Five men charged with taking part in the long-unsolved 1978 Lufthansa heist at John F. Kennedy International Airport are taken into custody.
Court papers allege that the men charged were members of the Bonanno crime family -- responsible for for acts of extortion and arson, including the heist, which was made famous by the 1990 film "Goodfellas."
Vincent Asaro has been identified as one of the leaders of the gang. He's been charged with stealing $5 million in cash and $1 million in jewelry from a Lufthansa Terminal in December 1978.
The men were arraigned in a Brooklyn court Thursday.
Mr. Asaro's attorney says he didn't do it.
GERALD MCMAHON, DEFENSE LAWYER FOR VINCENT ASARO, SAYING:
"I represent Mr. Vincent Asaro, a poor guy, a grandfather. I met his granddaughter in court today. He got rousted out of bed this morning at six o'clock for something that he didn't do."
At the time, it was the biggest cash heist ever recorded in the United States.
Court papers allege that the men charged were members of the Bonanno crime family -- responsible for for acts of extortion and arson, including the heist, which was made famous by the 1990 film "Goodfellas."
Vincent Asaro has been identified as one of the leaders of the gang. He's been charged with stealing $5 million in cash and $1 million in jewelry from a Lufthansa Terminal in December 1978.
The men were arraigned in a Brooklyn court Thursday.
Mr. Asaro's attorney says he didn't do it.
GERALD MCMAHON, DEFENSE LAWYER FOR VINCENT ASARO, SAYING:
"I represent Mr. Vincent Asaro, a poor guy, a grandfather. I met his granddaughter in court today. He got rousted out of bed this morning at six o'clock for something that he didn't do."
At the time, it was the biggest cash heist ever recorded in the United States.