Fugitive Crime Boss Arrested in Santa Monica

By Gene Williams
Lookout Staff

June, 23, 2011 -- Fugitive Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger -- wanted in connection with at least 19 murders -- was arrested Wednesday near Downtown Santa Monica, multiple news soures say.

The 81-year-old gangster who had been near the top of the FBI's most-wanted list for more than 15 years was taken into custody by federal agents inside a building on the 1000 block of Third Street, news sources say. The arrest occurred without incident.

Also arrested was Bulger's longtime companion, Catherine Greig, 60, a dental hygenist by trade. The couple will appear at U.S. District Court today, Thursday, the FBI says in a statement.

Federal agents informed Santa Monica Police of the arrest late Wednesday, news services say

Bulger had been on the run since being tipped off by an FBI agent of his pending arrest in 1994. Charges against him are related to a string of crimes between the early 1970s and mid 1980s, including at least 19 killings, drug dealing, extortion, racketeering and money laundering.

Bulger's case has been a source of embarrassment to the FBI for years and the source of accusations that agents weren't trying very hard to catch him.

In recent years there have been numerous reports of Bulger sightings in various U.S. cities and in Europe, but law enforcement was not able to confirm them.

Santa Monica Police have not released a statement as of 6 a.m. Thursday.