Sunday, April 22, 2018

Patriarca's $30 million Mob Bank Heist

The indie crime drama “Vault” started principal photography on March 20, 2018 with primary locations in Providence. “Vault” is based on the true story about a band of small-time criminals who attempted to pull off the biggest heist in American history, stealing more than $30 million from the Rhode Island mafia in 1975. 

Inside Hudson Fur Storage were 150 safe-deposit boxes that held loads of stolen loot and booty. In August 1975, eight armed men walked in and pulled off a robbery that would yield some $30 million in cash, precious metals and jewels.
Despite the mob vault’s notoriety, even robbery ringleaders Robert Dussault and Charles Flynn were surprised by the volume of loot. “I heard guys saying, ‘Holy s–t, I can’t ­believe what’s here,’”

The robbery was sanctioned by local mob boss Raymond L.S. Patriarca. The participants each walked away with around $70,000. Patriarca is believed to have received the rest. A turncoat's confession kicked off what was then the most expensive trial in Rhode Island history. Mob boss Patriarca got away scot-free and reportedly managed to have the jewels fenced in Europe.