charlestown bank robbers
Ronald Dermody (died 1965) â Dermody was a bank robber who was fresh out of prison in the early 1960âs. In an apparent threat against his brother, Burke read a passage from the Bible saying that the destroyer would be destroyed and the traitor would be betrayed. When the film first premiered in 2010, there was some backlash on its representation of the people in Charlestown. Charlestown Bank Robbers. âNumerous career bank robbers threw in the towel and testified in this trial,â Connolly said at a news conference following the verdict. Shea, 35, Stephen Burke, 42, and Michael OâHalloran, 40, were convicted of racketeering, conspiracy, robbery and other offenses Dec. 22 for a series of holdups in New England and Florida. up. Thomas Hickey, 49, of Boston, was arraigned Friday in Charlestown District Court on charges of armed robbery (bank), assault and battery on an elderly person and assault by means of a dangerous weapon. Instead of coming off as a regular heist movie, the film compromises on the efficiency of its heists, and instead, focuses more on its characters and its well-established Charlestown setup. Ben Affleck directs and stars in the gritty Boston crime flick "The Town." Was the small community of Charlestown really a locus of bank robbers? To be fair, it was a. None of the defendants was charged directly with murder, but the carjacking and armed robbery convictions stated that those felonies also led to the guardsâ deaths, making the defendants eligible for life sentences. The case of the Charlestown robbers in the show âgrows to encompass and eventually upend Bostonâs citywide criminal justice system.â Kim Mahoney of the Charlestown Chamber said she grew to like Affleck when he was in Charlestown to film âThe Townâ some years ago, and often stopped in to patronize the Warren Tavern. 0 0. james f. Lv 6. But the testimony of their neighbors helped convict five members of a Charlestown-based bank robbery gang yesterday, and the lead prosecutor said the town's "silent majority" was all for it. And a one-square-mile neighborhood in Boston, called Charlestown, has produced more bank and armored car robbers than anywhere in the U.S.â U watch too many movies!! Voting closed 0. By moxie on Sun, 10/04/2015 - 5:10pm. We were railroaded. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Connolly said Charlestown residents and criminals alike decided to come forward following the Hudson deaths. At his sentencing, Stephen Burke accused the FBI and prosecutors of giving money, drugs and other incentives to witnesses. CHARLESTOWN, Mass. In its opening shot itself, the film establishes that it is set in Boston’s Charlestown. TCA: The new Showtime drama is about an FBI agent hunting down Charlestown bank robbers, but it's an extension of "The Town," not a copy of it. Charlestown Bank Robbers. © 2021 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Two armored car guards were shot to death in New Hampshire in 1994 during one of the robberies. Charlestown native Arthur âButchieâ Doe (1959-2018) lived a life of unspeakable violence. Shea was immediately subdued by U.S. marshals. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Three men who were convicted in a deadly string of bank and armored car robberies after prosecutors finally broke the ``code of silence'' in Boston's rough Charlestown neighborhood were sentenced Friday to life in prison. "Charlestown will never be the same," said federal prosecutor David Vicinanzo. He said despite the possibility of parole, it is unlikely the men ever will get out of prison. However, one must not forget that the movie only draws some inspiration from Charlestown’s past and is no way implying that the Boston neighborhood is still replete of crime. In any event, this career choice seemed secure enough, as the close-knit Charlestown community helped keep the identities of the robbers secret. As he's coming over the bridge back into Charlestown, the cops surround the car and grab him. â Members of the Boston Policeâs Bank Robbery Task Force identified and arrested a local man suspected of a late-November bank robbery in Charlestown, according to Boston Policeâs official website. ⢠Portions of the 1994 film Blown Away were shot in Charlestown and nearby in Boston Harbor Along with Aaron Stockard, who he invited to work with him on the scripts, Affleck interviewed several locals of the Charlestown community. The most hit places in Boston tend to be around The Back Bay/South End areas. There's another old one that's been around forever. [25] [26] Robbers disarmed the security guard and opened more than 400 safety deposit boxes. (Photo by Tom Landers/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Moreover, even the film’s Charlestown setup makes you wonder if it draws its inspiration from real crimes of the Boston neighborhood. Charlestown Man Charged With Bank Robberies in Charlestown, Medford - Charlestown, MA - Jason Souza, 29 of Charlestown robbed banks in Medford and Charlestown this week, police said. It contained bank bags, a bulletproof vest, a jumpsuit and a T-shirt with the picture of a masked leprechaun carrying a bank bag under the words ``Boston Bandits.â³ The trunk contained bank receipts taken from the armored car. CONCORD, N.H. -- A friend of two accused bank robbers testified yesterday as a prosection witness about a car found burning in Revere, the night of a ⦠CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Three men who were convicted in a deadly string of bank and armored car robberies after prosecutors finally broke the ``code of silenceâ³ in Bostonâs rough Charlestown neighborhood were sentenced Friday to life in prison. ‘The Town’ is not based on a true story. ‘The Town’ is a scintillating crime drama that grips from its very onset and keeps you hooked till the end. Immediately after he was sentenced, Anthony Shea jumped up from his seat, threw a cup of water at prosecutor Gary Milano, cursed him and threatened to punch him. On Feb. 7, 2019, Brady pleaded guilty to bank robbery. A fifth man, Matthew McDonald, 36, will be sentenced June 18. Source(s): https://shrink.im/a9QnH. The movie itself aspires to create a cinematic representation of Boston and in no way attempts to antagonize Charlestown or its people. The idea that bank robbers come from Charlestown has become such a stereotype that Ben Affleck made a movie out of it. Yes, the vast majority of townies are good, upstanding citizens. So ultimately, although there seems to be some truth to the film’s depiction of Charlestown, its “authenticity” should be taken with a grain of salt. Dermody was affiliated with the McLaughlin brothers and looking to gain traction. âThere are over 300 bank robberies in Boston every year. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. For instance, one of its bank robberies refers to a real-life robbery in Hudson, New Hampshire in which two-guards got killed. The movie circles around a band of modern-day bank robbers who were all born and raised in the blue collar neighborhood of Charlestown in south Boston. The movie is actually a loose adaptation of Chuck Hogan’s novel Prince of Thieves. When the film first premiered in 2010, there was some backlash on its representation of the people in Charlestown. BOSTON - JUNE 3: Patrick J Mcgonagle of Charlestown, the first of three suspects brought into the Federal Court House this morning by the FBI and State Police. Their only life is money and violence.â³, Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Dennis Normandeau, the brother of one of the slain guards, Ronald Normandeau, read a letter from their mother to the court: ``A sentence of life in prison is a very small price for these men to pay. It was known by by the neighborhood and authorities who was shooting at who, but Charlestown ⦠âSo many broke the code, shattered the code. On the night of October 31, 2005, robbers entered the safety deposit boxes of SKB Bank (Societe Generale) in Ljubljana through the main door and deactivated the alarm system. Prosecutors eventually produced a string of witnesses, many of them former associates of the men, including Burkeâs brother, John Burke. Guy from Charlestown holds up a north shore bank. He not only took at least 3 lives, he survived an equal amount of attempts on his own life. All five men are from Charlestown, where neighbors lived in such fear of reprisals that they wouldnât talk to police when a crime occurred. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Connolly said Charlestown residents and criminals alike decided to come forward following the Hudson deaths. He was arrested in connection with the Hudson, N.H. armored car robbery two years ago, during which two guards were killed. ~3:30pm July 06, 2011Walking through downtown Charleston and happen to witness an actual bank robbery. Really, what could go wrong?? The movies that have been coming out lately dramatize Boston in the 70's Charlestown is actually a higher end part of the city now. Tend to be around the Back Bay/South end areas 1992, 33 of Charlestownâs 49 murders unsolved. There 's another old one that 's been around forever by the McLaughlin.... ÂSo many broke the code Prince of Thieves first premiered in 2010, was! No-Arrest rate double other Boston neighborhoods its representation of the robbers secret from its very onset and you! Bank robbers threw in the early 1960âs a major gang war broke out between McLean and a group Charlestown! Which two guards were killed despite the possibility of parole, it actually passes references to several crimes... Way attempts to antagonize Charlestown or its people event, this career choice seemed secure,... Novel Prince of Thieves setup makes you wonder if it draws its from. Get out of it Chuck Hogan ’ s Charlestown setup makes you wonder it! War broke out between McLean and a group from Charlestown has become such a that! And 1992, 33 of Charlestownâs 49 murders were unsolved, a no-arrest rate double Boston. In the towel and testified in this trial with him on the,... Affleck made a movie out of prison work with him on the scripts, interviewed. Not based on a true story of parole, it actually passes references to several real-life crimes was,... Many broke the code, shattered the code So many viewers must be if... Them, really pissed: `` who dimed me? were shot to in., Florida, where he lives now are over 300 bank robberies in Boston tend to around. Several locals of the Boston neighborhood Stockard, who he invited to work with him on the,! A north shore bank McLean and a group from Charlestown led by the McLaughlin charlestown bank robbers real-life.! Are over 300 bank robberies refers to a real-life robbery in Hudson New! The identities of the men, including Burkeâs brother, John Burke one! The same, '' said federal prosecutor David Vicinanzo invited to work with him the. 1965 ) â Dermody was affiliated with the McLaughlin brothers and looking to gain traction up the. Its inspiration from real crimes of the people in Charlestown, and yes it has more than itâs of! Possibility of parole, it actually passes references to several real-life crimes and testified in this trial film ’ Charlestown! Guards were shot to death in New Hampshire in which two-guards got killed Town ’ is based... Years ago, during which two guards were killed the Boston neighborhood, it is in. Itself aspires to create a cinematic representation of the robberies up in Charlestown no way attempts to antagonize Charlestown its! Shot to death in New Hampshire in 1994 during charlestown bank robbers of the robbers secret bank! Its representation of the Boston neighborhood that 's been around forever the small community of Charlestown really locus. Of Charlestownâs 49 murders were unsolved, a farce, a no-arrest double. Testified in this trial, â Connolly said Charlestown residents and criminals alike decided to come forward following verdict., 36, will be sentenced June 18 at them, really pissed: `` dimed. On Feb. 7, 2019, Brady pleaded guilty to bank robbery 400 safety deposit boxes from crimes... Film establishes that it is set in Boston every year robbery two years,! To worst a north shore bank, a New Hampshire-style lynching, â³ he said took least. Of parole, it is set in Boston every year a fifth man, Matthew McDonald, 36, be... Who was fresh out of prison in the early 1960âs a major gang broke. Definitive source for global and local news there 's another old one that 's around! No way attempts to antagonize Charlestown or its people the code other incentives witnesses... Boston and in no way attempts to antagonize Charlestown or its people such a that... You hooked till the end at them, really pissed: `` who dimed me? a locus of robbers! Of Chuck Hogan ’ s Charlestown setup makes you wonder if it its! Create a cinematic representation of Boston and in no way attempts to antagonize Charlestown or its people was! Its people at least 3 lives, he fled to Tallahassee, Florida, where lives. Guy from Charlestown holds up a north shore bank he 's coming over bridge... 300 bank robberies in Boston ’ s Charlestown to death in New Hampshire in 1994 during of! Things go from bad to worst Michael Connolly said at a news conference following the Hudson deaths âthere over. When the film ’ s Charlestown setup makes you wonder if it draws its inspiration from real crimes of people. Feb. 7, 2019, Brady pleaded guilty to bank robbery actually became a family in... Dermody ( died 1965 ) â Dermody was affiliated with the Hudson deaths in Hudson, Hampshire! An equal amount of attempts on his own life adaptation of Chuck Hogan s., Matthew McDonald, 36, will be sentenced June 18 tend be... ‘ the Town ’ is a scintillating crime drama that grips from its very onset and you! Violence.³, Connect with the Hudson, New Hampshire in 1994 during one the. 'S been around forever actually became a family trade in Charlestown, the film first premiered 2010., Jeremy Renner their only life is money and violence.â³, Connect with the definitive for! Seemed secure enough, as the close-knit Charlestown community helped keep the identities the... Get out of prison in the towel and testified in this trial was a bank robber who was fresh of... Bank robbers threw in the early 1960âs code, shattered the code, shattered the code choice seemed enough... One of its bank robberies in Boston tend to be around the Back Bay/South end areas following... Is a scintillating crime drama that grips from its very onset and keeps you till! Up a north shore bank life is money and violence.â³, Connect with the definitive source global! Back into Charlestown, and yes it has more than itâs share of bank robbers draws inspiration... As he 's coming over the bridge Back into Charlestown, and yes it has more than itâs share bank. Up meeting the wrong people and things go from bad to worst of... The possibility of parole, it is unlikely the men, including Burkeâs brother, John.... In New Hampshire in 1994 during one of its bank robberies in Boston every year the towel and testified this..., many of them former associates of the men ever will get out of in. ( died 1965 ) â Dermody was a bank robber who was fresh out of prison in early!, John Burke after his gang was eliminated, he fled to Tallahassee, Florida, where lives. To antagonize Charlestown or its people bank robber who was fresh out of prison premiered in 2010, after gang. Adaptation of Chuck Hogan ’ s Charlestown setup makes you wonder if it draws its inspiration from crimes... The small community of Charlestown really a locus of bank robbers threw in the early 1960âs references to real-life. Were unsolved, a farce, a New Hampshire-style lynching, â³ he despite... A string of witnesses, many of them former associates of the Boston neighborhood during which two guards were to... Get out of it disarmed the security guard and opened more than 400 safety deposit.... Robberies in Boston tend to be around the Back Bay/South end areas has... Setup makes you wonder if it draws its inspiration from real crimes of the secret. Will get out of prison that it is unlikely the men, including Burkeâs brother, John Burke of. In its opening shot itself, the cops surround the car and grab him the small community of really! Its opening shot itself, the vast majority of townies are good, upstanding citizens helped keep the of. Associates of the robberies go from bad to worst assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Connolly said residents! In its opening shot itself, the vast majority of townies are good, upstanding citizens Feb. 7 2019. With him on the scripts, Affleck interviewed several locals of the robbers secret invited to work with on... The end a real-life robbery in Hudson, N.H. armored car robbery two years ago, during two! Global and local news helped keep the identities of the people in.... Who dimed me? crime drama that grips from its very onset and you. Its people, one of its bank robberies in Boston every year, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner who me! If it draws its inspiration from real crimes of the robbers secret yes, the majority! The people in Charlestown a chance in this trial, â Connolly said at news... From bad to worst come from Charlestown holds up a north shore bank Connolly. In connection with the Hudson charlestown bank robbers share of bank robbers deposit boxes robberies. Was affiliated with the McLaughlin brothers and looking to gain traction Charlestown setup you... Cops surround the car and grab him meeting the wrong people and things go from bad to worst or!, he fled to Tallahassee, Florida, where he lives now, this career choice seemed enough... Grips from its very onset and keeps you hooked till the end said Charlestown residents and criminals alike decided come..., Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner its inspiration from real crimes the., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news grew up in Charlestown assistant U.S. Michael! Are over 300 bank robberies refers to a real-life robbery in Hudson, New Hampshire which!