SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Former Boston crime boss and the FBI’s new and former Number 1 Most Wanted man was arrested outside his Santa Monica apartment complex late Wednesday night after 16 years on the run.
James J. “Whitey” Bulger had been living in a rent controlled apartment three blocks from the beach in Santa Monica with his long time girlfriend Catherine Greig.
Bulger and Greig resided in Unit 303 within the 28 unit building under the names Charles and Carol Gasko since the mid 90’s the building manager told reporters at the scene on Thursday.
According to the Santa Monica Rent Control Board Records, Unit 303 of the Princess Eugenia apartment complex has been tenanted by the same people since the beginning of 1999.
“They lived in that apartment for a long time I heard, I also heard they were seen on the promenade walking around like everyday folk,” said an elderly man who lived in the apartment complex next to Bulger’s, who declined to give his name out of fear for his safety. “I think he even wore a Red Sox hat around!”
After the FBI lured Bulger out of his apartment complex, they found hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and more than 20 guns, including rifles and handguns.
“I can’t believe such a dangerous criminal was living in my neighborhood for this long!” a middle-aged woman said, speaking to reporters from her apartment window across the street.
According to the property manager, Bulger and Greig had lived in Unit 303 for at least 14 years and paid in cash around $1100/monthly. Under rent control rules, the maximum monthly for rent this year for the unit is $1,145 a month.
They were a couple that kept to themselves and didn’t say much to other residents.
Residents said the couple frequented the Third Street Promenade Coffee Bean shop.
“I never saw him come in here,” a Coffee Bean worker who declined to give his name. “Even if he did all the time, it would be difficult to remember, it’s very easy to blend in out here.”
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