Reputed members of Lucchese crime family arrested

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Reputed members of Lucchese crime family arrested
David Novarro has details on the arrests.

WHITE PLAINS, Westchester County (WABC) -- Nearly two dozen reputed members of the Lucchese crime family were arrested by federal agents during a massive bust Wednesday.

The suspects -- 17 in total -- were taken into custody in a racketeering case, in addition to two already in custody who are facing new charges.

Authorities say they are linked to the 2013 murder of Michael Meldish, a notorious reputed gangster whose body was discovered in his car in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. Meldish, who was found with a single gunshot wound to the head, was suspected of carrying out more than 10 murders in the 1970s and 1980s.

Some of the suspects are also are charged in connection with the attempted murder of a member of the Bonanno family in May 23, the attempted murder of a Bonanno crime family associate in late 2012, and the attempted murder in October 2016 of a witnesses to Lucchese criminal activity.

The suspects include accused Lucchese street boss Matthew Madonna, alleged underboss Steven "Wonder Boy" Crea Sr., and accused consigliere Joseph DiNapoli.

Madonna and DiNapoli, both 81, were already in custody in New Jersey from a 2015 conviction.

The other suspects were identified as:

-- Crea's son, Steven Crea Sr.

-- Dominic Truscello

-- John "Big John" Castelucci

-- Tindaro "Tino" Corso

-- Joseph Venice

-- James "Jimmy the Jew" Maffucci

-- Joseph "Big Joe" and "Joey Glasses" Gatello

-- Paul "Paulie Roast Beef" Cassano

-- Christopher Londonio

-- Terrance "T" Caldwell

-- Vincent Bruno

-- Brian Vaughan

-- Carmine "Spanish Carmine" Garcia

-- Richard O'Connor

-- Robert Camilli

-- John Incatasciato