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A man who is about as notorious in Boston as al-Qaida mastermind Osama bin Laden was captured Wednesday in Santa Monica, Calif.
James "Whitey" Bulger, a gangster wanted for his alleged role in 19 murders who turned his FBI handlers into informants and is accused of using information he got from them to kill his enemies, had been on the run for 16 years.
As our colleagues at WBUR in Boston report, the now 81-year-old Bulger "led the violent Winter Hill Gang, a largely Irish mob that ran loan-sharking, gambling and drug rackets in the Boston area. He was nicknamed 'Whitey' for his shock of bright platinum hair."
And WBUR's David Boeri reminded us on Morning Edition today that there are already FBI agents in jail for their role in both giving Whitey information about his rivals and then tipping him off 16 years ago that he had better hit the road because he was about to be indicted.
"This is what makes this such a treacherous story," David said. "It is corruption within the FBI."
Whitey is a legend back in Boston, said David: "In Boston, where the first two planes on 9/11 left and hit the buildings in New York, Osama bin Laden and Whitey Bulger were equally notorious."
"This guy, used to look out at Boston from Southie — the old town — and say, 'I own this town,' " David added.
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The 81-year-old was detained with his long-time girlfriend Catherine Greig, 60. Both are due to appear in court later on Thursday.
Bulger was on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list, and is accused of involvement in 19 murders.
Bulger was the inspiration for the Martin Scorsese film "The Departed".
He was played by Jack Nicholson in a movie that won four Oscars in 2007.
The couple's arrest in Santa Monica, California, came days after the FBI began airing 30-second public service announcements, focusing on Ms Greig.
They specifically targeted programmes watched by women of Ms Greig's age, and urged them to keep an eye out for her.
Announcing the arrests, Richard Deslauriers of the FBI said the couple were detained "without incident".
The Winter Hill gang was a largely Irish-American mob that ran loan-sharking, gambling and drug rackets in the Boston area.
Bulger disappeared shortly before he was due to be arrested in connection with 21 killings and racketeering.
Following his disappearance, it emerged he had been a long-time FBI informant who turned in rival gangsters.
The revelations left the FBI fighting accusations that it had long been turning a blind eye to the alleged crimes of James Bulger and the Winter Hill gang.
