US nabs alleged crime boss after 16-year manhunt

LOS ANGELES — A notorious Irish-American mob boss whose life inspired a Hollywood movie finally faced justice Thursday after being arrested in Los Angeles following a 16-year international manhunt.James "Whitey" Bulger, now aged 81 and wanted over 19 murders, was due in court after being arrested late Wednesday with his long-time girlfriend in an apartment in Santa Monica, a couple of blocks from the Pacific ocean."Today marks the moment when James 'Whitey' Bulger will finally face justice," said US Attorney Carmen Ortiz in Boston, where Bulger -- a former FBI informant -- allegedly committed a string of crimes in the 1970s and 80s.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said a publicity campaign launched only a few days ago had generated the tip that led agents to arrest Bulger and his longtime companion Catherine Greig, 60, "without incident."The head of the FBI in Boston, Special Agent Richard Deslauriers, said "a variety of weapons, guns, and a very substantial amount of cash" were found in the apartment where the pair was detained in Santa Monica.Their hideout was only yards away from a popular shopping street, the Third Street Promenade, and neighbors said they had no suspicions."I couldn't believe it when I discovered that was my neighbor. I didn't really know them... Occasionally he expressed some rage and showed impatient behavior in the lobby," neighbor Barbara Gluck told AFP."I think they have lived here for about 10 years, but I'm not sure," added Gluck, who has lived for 15 years in the building, near Bulger and his girlfriend on the third floor.The couple used the pseudonyms Charles and Carol Gasko. Another resident, who did not wanted to give his name, said they were "very quiet people, a kind couple."Bulger, a leading member of the so-called "Winter Hill" gang in Boston, was spotted in London in 2002 and in California in 2000 and 2005 but had evaded arrest ever since he fled shortly before being indicted in January 1995.It later emerged that he had been a long time FBI informant, fuelin

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