Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik Knocks Out Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor
Kelly Pavlik gets off the canvas in round 2 to come back and Knock out Jermain Taylor in the seventh round. Pavlik showed plenty of heart and Game in a very exciting Middleweight title fight.
So here is my Top 10 American Criminals of all time! What do I mean by Top 10? Well, to be honest, even I’m not too sure. I’m not limiting it to success (as a criminal), amount of valuables/money stolen, intelligence, bravado or audacity, but rather a mix of all of those and much more. There will be names here you might expect, and some you would never expect, and if you can better my list, feel free to email me on dinnertimebandit@gmail.com
First of all, let me say, there is one type of criminal I’ve never been interested in: bank robbers. With possibly the exception of Paddy Mitchell’s 90 Second “Stopwatch Gang”, I find bank robbers to be boring, far too violent, and just not that intriguing, so don’t expect to see any FBI photos of the Illinois “ninja bandit” on this list.
Alan William Golder aka “Dinnertime Bandit” (jewel thief) – www.dinnertimebandit.info Everything you need to know is there.
Peter Salerno (jewel thief) – “In anything that you read in the last 40 years in regards to jewel thieves, Peter Salerno’s name always comes up. And he’s the standard by which all other jewel thieves are judged.” ret. Det. Bill Adams on 60 minutes, quoted from www.dinnersetgang.com
What Salerno lacked in height, he made up for with front, attitude, a degree of class, skill, agility, fitness and strength. I’ve heard that some in the prison system call him Claws, for the brute strength in his upper arms.
Bill Mason (jewel thief) – If you’re looking for a talented jewel thief who targets people while they aren’t at home, then you probably won’t find many better than Bill Mason. He is rumoured to have stolen anywhere between $10-30 million in his criminal career, which, now, is beyond the statute of limitations. In his time he stole from Armand Hammer, Phyllis Diller, and many other rich socialite’s who were in the society pages. He co-wrote his book “Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief” with author Lee Gruenfeld. A terrific read.
D.B. Cooper, aka Richard Floyd McCoy (hijacker) – The sheer audacity of Richard Floyd McCoy is what gets him his rightful place here in the top 10 American Criminals of all time. Of all the ways to illegally “acquire” (read:steal) money, who on earth would really hijack a plane, then hold the plane company to ransom, and parachute out the back into the middle of nowhere.
Ex-FBI Agent Russell Calame wrote a book called “D.B. Cooper – The Real McCoy”, which is another must-read. If you would like to order a copy of his book, drop him a line on MaryRuss21@aol.com Thankfully he still has some copies.
Jack MacLean (professional burglar, jewel/cash thief) – With a genius level IQ, and an in-depth knowledge of police communications technology, Jack MacLean, aka “Superthief” stole $133 million in over 2,000 professional burglaries. Jack wore scanners concealed under a cape-like trenchcoat. Never left fingerprints, mess or ransacking, and was always careful to reset alarms and leave things as he found them. This guy was on top of his game. He released a book in 1983 called “Secrets of a Superthief”, but it’s now out-of-print, so it costs like $100-200 to buy online.
Zodiac Killer aka Gareth Penn (serial killer) (the California one, not Heriberto “Eddie” Seda from NY State, he was lame) – I know what you’re thinking, why is a serial killer in the top ten? Despite my reservations about putting a murderer on this list, Gareth Penn was indeed a mathematical genius, who managed to run rings around SFPD and Vallejo PD for over 30 years. Very recently his complex coded clues and maps were solved by a man called Christopher Farmer, who owns and runs a company called Opord Analytical. This guy deserves props. His study, which is over 60 pages, is here in PDF format, and is a book in itself.
Unabomber (madman, extortionist, serial killer, serial bomber, anti-technology social house nigga) – Theodore John Kaczynski (born May 22 , 1942), also known as the Unabomber, is an American convicted murderer and social critic who carried out a campaign of mail bombings that killed three and wounded 23. He sent bombs to several universities and airlines from the late 1970s through early 1990s.
In his Industrial Society and Its Future (commonly called the “Unabomber Manifesto”) he argued that his actions were a necessary (although extreme) tactic by which to attract attention to what he believed were the dangers of modern technology. The Unabomber was the target of one of the most expensive investigations in the FBI’s history. [2]
The best information on the Unabomber is within the FBI Files documentary on him.
Judy Amar (female professional burglar) – Judy Amar was the mastermind behind over 500 near perfect heists in Florida in the late 80’s. Amar had a hotel room stocked with wigs, clothing and make-up that she would use to disguise herself. She changed cars every week, and license plates daily. Her success as a burglar infuriated the police for over a decade.
I know I know, a woman on the top 10? But seriously, if you’re into crime, you need to know about Judy Amar. She was so successful that the Detective on her case ended up taking his work home with him daily for years on end, then suffered a near-fatal heart attack. She was almost a cop-killa-by-proxy! She was featured on a Masterminds episode.
Blane Nordahl (silver thief) – Blane Nordhal was a sterling silver expert… especially when it came to stealing it. Cutting a swath all over the northeastern seaboard of the United States, he targeted the wealthiest homes and plundered their silver heirlooms to the tune of millions of dollars. Ivana Trump, Bruce Springsteen and sportscaster Curt Gowdy all fell victim to this most inventive and discerning of burglars.
Stealing silver is to Blane, what a hit of crystal meth is to criminals in Tennessee: more than a high, but a pre-requisite for feeling alive.
James Mitchell DeBardeleben the 3rd – (Police defeater and serial sexual sadist) – As sickening as DeBardeleben’s crimes were, he was still a criminal mastermind to some degree. He would often sit down and write page after page of notes on how to defeat the police! He was a prolific note-writer. He sometimes wrote down gradual criminal progressions, what crimes he would build up to and how he would do them. For his planning, deep thinking, and defeat of the police, I’m afraid he has to make the top 10. It’s either him or Charles Ng, and I really don’t like Charles Ng’s face!.
Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor VS Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik
Tonight Jermain Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KOs) denfends his title against Kelly Pavlik (31-0, 28 KOs) inside Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. This very close fight is very under the radar (In fact, I almost forgot about it) but could be one of the best of the year.
Pavlik, (from Youngstown, OH, the home of Ray “Boom Boom” Manicini) was very impressive in his last fight, a destruction of heavy handed Edison “Pantera” Miranda. Taylor was uninspired in his last victory against Cory “Next Generation” Spinks.
Pavlik should be the hungrier fighter, Taylor more experienced. Should be a good straightner.
My friend “Ian” just picked me up at the Sydney International Airport. Feeling lovely. I had planned to spend some time picking up girls in King’s Cross, eating mad Kebab’s, and laying up at Bondi Beach and some of the northern beaches. Ian, though, immediately upon seeing me, says “Before we go out tonight, we have a bitta work to do…” I immediately got a bad feeling about what this “bitta work” entailed…
Men at work: Land down under
Before I get into that, let me back up first and give you the data sheet on Ian. Although I have not seen Ian in years, I have known him a long time from my London days flipping beans. Ian is actually from London, a true G, sharp dresser, fast cash, fast with his hands, quicker with the heater and fearless. Shrewd, tough, with bundles of nerve and heaps of dash. When we first met, only a fool wouldn’t be able to tell he was going places. However, His ambition sometimes gets him in trouble, for example, a bird in Belmarsh.
One of Ian’s highlights in Belmarsh was stabbing a top dog in the neck. I asked Ian why he stabbed the guy; Ian said “The bloke was being a real pain in the neck…”
INXS – Devil inside
After Ian’s time in Belmarsh, he was accused of some crime he didn’t commit and decided to “fuck off to where the water runs down the plughole the other way…” Hence, the reason I am meeting him in Sydney. Since he got to Australia, Ian had become an unholy terror and doing very well for himself. He is currently acting as sort of an “independent rep”, Standover man, doing collections, and various odds and ends for the top firms in Sydney and Melbourne.
So anyways, back to the “bitta work” we had to do. Apparently, this Sydney independent drug dealer we will call “Sami” had ripped off an associate of Ian’s. Bad move. Sami also apparently fancied himself as some kind of pseudo-playboy and a “Jack the Lad” as Ian says. Our job for the evening was to heist Sami at his crib. We got to keep the cash and jewels, Ian’s man upstairs got to keep the drugs. Sounds like a fair deal, only I had no interest in a “bitta work”, I wanted to be spitting lyrics at Aussie girls at the swank confines of Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross. Ian assured me we would go to Hugo’s afterwards, drinks on him. I was still far from gung ho. Then he told me Sami was a woman beater and I said I was all in. I hate women beaters.
Ian and I got ready, suited down (me in two button black pinstriped custom number, Savile Row, side vents, peaked lapels, Black Prada shirt, Grey Brioni Pocket Square, Prada loafers, Beretta 9mm with silencer, and ski mask in pocket. Ian was in a two button bespoke Armani, grey shirt by, I think, Canali, lace ups by A. Testoni, Glock with silencer, and also a ski mask. I probably looked more sinister overall, but Ian did have on a “brilliant” pair of lace ups.) We jumped in the Durango 75 and the engine purred away real horrorshow, headed for Sami’s crib in Double Bay.
On the way to Double Bay, Ian told me stories about some of his recent collection techniques. I will spare you the details, but many of them involved pliers and an acetylene torch. The tales, especially those involving the acetylene torch, made me want to throw up the airplane cuisine I had consumed hours earlier.
We pulled up a few blocks away from Sami’s huge crib in “Double Pay” and hearts pounding, palms sweaty, made our way there with a quickness. Posh crib, making it snow in Sydney must be good. I tried the front door, and unbelievably it was unlocked (note to drug dealers, always lock your front door). We made our way in like Leopards going for the kill and saw Sami on his couch watching TV, in a robe and flip flops, a pile of beaks and cash in front of him. Ian was on him before he knew what happened. Ian pistol whipped Sami twice, good shots I must say, and Sami went limp with some red, red kroovy coming out of his head. Heart doing somersaults, I checked the house for others and the safe. No other people. The safe in the bedroom closet (note 2 to drug dealers; don’t put your safe in obvious places).
Who can it Be Now- Men at Work
As I made my way back downstairs, (beautiful panoramic view from Sami’s crib, by the way) I noticed that Ian had Sami tied up and bolt cutters around his toes (note 3 to drug dealers, never wear flip flops). Sami was smarter than he looked; he gave up the combination right away and the location of his ill gotten stash. Even smarter, he gave us the right combination. Ian wasn’t fooling around, and neither was I since I wanted to get a cocktail in my system. Maybe some grilled Barramundi. Anyways, the contents of the safe were decent. Heaps of Australian dollars, which is good because the US dollar is pretty weak right now. Some decent diamonds as well, upon quick inspection. I wish I brought my loupe (note to self).
I went down stairs and showed Ian. He then said, holding his bolt cutters, in a disguised voice, “Go back to the car, have a lookout, you don’t want to see the next part, Mate”. He didn’t have to tell me twice. I still was feeling queasy from the airline omelet I ate. Poor Sami, (well not really, he did seem to be quite the wanker) in the future he shouldn’t put holes in his manners, especially in regards to women.
Overkill – Men at Work
Ten minutes later, Ian was at the Durango, we jumped in and the engine purred away real horrorshow back to Kings Cross.
After fencing the jewels (I am glad Sydney fences work late) and splitting the spoils, Ian and I were 23G Australian richer. I think I just paid for my trip. And since this was now a “working” vacation, I can write off my drinks and hotel tonight, right?
A little later, we walked into Hugo’s like two Titans. Or more like two G’s coming down off a heist-fueled adrenaline rush. Skipped the line, no need to pay a dime, didn’t hang my coat, but now it was time to move to the forefront make my rounds, Say peace and give a pound, have a drink, get down.
It’s a mistake – Men At Work
Hugo’s was filled with fly Aussie Nightlife Princess Contenders, black dresses, high heels, most of them curiously rubbing their noses. This should be fun. The bartender quickly made us two Goose and Soda’s, mad unnecessary extra limes. That’s how they do it in OZ. A fly blonde Aussie girl comes up to Ian and introduces herself to Him. I can’t believe it. In honey’s fairness, I really don’t think she got a good look at me, since my back was turned when I was ordering drinks. Ian goes to sit down with the Sheila on a couch. Guess who is paying for the drinks?
Anyway, I needed to simmer down from the “bitta work” we did earlier. I take a huge gulp of Goose and light up a Parliament Ultra light. Thank God they let you smoke in Hugo’s, or I might have to have a word with Hugo.
On my third Goose and soda, two fly girls Fiona (half Greek and half Aussie) and Jilka (half Persian, half Aussie) come up to the bar (Australia is quite the melting pot). I said “Hi” to Jilka; she showed her dental work and said I looked familiar. I touched her on the hand, I had to feel her. Fiona did the same. I then said, “
You should know by now how this ends…do me a favor…
