Gangster Era Reborn: Unearthed Crime Scenes from New York’s Prohibition Underworld

by Ismael AbduSalaamJanuary 28, 2021

Nearly 100 years later, there's still new information to discover.

Courtesy of Steve Turner Personal Collection

THE MANFREDI MINEO AND STEVE FERRIGNO MURDER SCENE (NOVEMBER 5, 1930)

Manfredi “Al” Mineo and Steve Ferrigno were gunned down while leaving a Bronx apartment on Pelham Parkway. The pair were reported to be be meeting with their leader Joe “The Boss” Masseria and several other key organization members to plot strategy against the Maranzano faction. Unbeknownst to Mineo and Ferrigno, the apartment was being watched by Maranzano forces, who were stationed in an adjacent ground floor apartment with windows overlooking the courtyard. When the pair emerged, they were ripped to pieces with shotgun and machine-gun fire.

While the above picture is not new, the ones below are newly discovered pictures of the crime scene following the removal of the bodies. Note the second window on the right is closed, indicating both shooters likely fired through closed windows at their targets.

If you zoom in, you’ll note a “death cat” has taken up leisure time under the murder nest in photos B and D

Scene of shooting at 760 Pelham Parkway where Samuel Ferrara and Manfredi Mineo were killed, NYPD 13346A

Courtesy of the New York Municipal Archives

Scene of shooting at 760 Pelham Parkway where Samuel Ferrara and Manfredi Mineo were killed, NYPD 13346B

Courtesy of the New York Municipal Archives

Scene of shooting at 760 Pelham Parkway where Samuel Ferrara and Manfredi Mineo were killed, NYPD 13346C

Courtesy of the New York Municipal Archives

Scene of shooting at 760 Pelham Parkway where Samuel Ferrara and Manfredi Mineo were killed, NYPD 13346D

Courtesy of the New York Municipal Archives

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Gangster Era Reborn: Unearthed Crime Scenes from New York’s Prohibition Underworld - The New York Mafia

4 years ago

[…] 28, 2021 | Original article by Ismael Abdusalaam | From Beats Boxing Mayhem | Posted with permission of the […]

Jonathan Steele

4 years ago

Are there anymore gangsters pictures from the archives? They were incredible. The Vincent Coll pictures were insane. I’d love to see some of Maseria and Marrazano. That would be incredible. Please let everyone know if there’s anymore being released. Thank you for sharing.

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Jonathan Steele

Thanks for checking it out, Jonathan! So Masseria and Maranzano photos remain big targets for me. My take is they have to be somewhere, just a matter of if the Archives have it or the NYPD themselves. Believe it or not, even all these decades later there’s still records the NYPD haven’t transferred over to the Archives. There’s definitely more gangster photos. The tricky thing with the searches is that a lot of times the names are completely misspelled due the officers who arrived on scene (you’ll notice this on some of the pictures as that’s how they’re listed in the Archives records). So, it’s really a grind to go through the records but so worth it when you find gems like these. Rest assured, once the pandemic slows down and the Archives are open to the public, I’ll be right back in there searching.

Sal

4 years ago

Reply to Ismael AbduSalaam

I cannot find the link to the photos listed in the Table of Contents…

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Sal

Hi Sal, I’ll email you directly to see if we can figure it out…

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Sal

Couldn’t email you directly but try this – At the bottom of the first page on the site, you should should see a list of numbers going horizontally across the page in little boxes. Each of these represents a different page with the pictures. If you’re on a mobile device, it’ll be right before title of the next article.

Dan Wilson

3 years ago

Reply to Ismael AbduSalaam

Ismael , I’d just like to thank you for your hard work in bringing this piece of history to life , these pictures are incredible, it’s one thing to read about the life and ultimately the demise of Vincent Coll , but to see the photos , amazing .
Your hard work is much valued and greatly appreciated .
Good luck in all your current and future endeavours .
And once again , thank you 🙏🏻

Dave Critchley

2 years ago

Reply to Ismael AbduSalaam

Hi Ismael. Dave Critchley. How are you? Any more NYPD photos collected since we last talked? Best. Dave

Jim young

2 years ago

Reply to Ismael AbduSalaam

Thanks for the great gangster article. You are a very good writer

TomTom

1 year ago

Reply to Ismael AbduSalaam

Hi Ismael. Wondering if you’ve been back to the Archives?

James Gladwish

4 years ago

This is fantastic. Thank you for unearthing these brilliant images. I’ve posted a link to your site on my YouTube channel – OC SHORTZ. Thanks again.

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to James Gladwish

Appreciate the support James and I absolutely loved your Youtube video! You put a big smile on my face and I’ll proudly carry that new favorite person title haha Once the pandemic slows down and the Archives reopen, I plan to get right back in there digging for more gems.

Nick A

4 years ago

Reply to Ismael AbduSalaam

I came here based on James’ video. 🙂

Daniel Laichalk

3 years ago

Reply to James Gladwish

Came here based on your recommendation. Thanks for that!

Michael “We'll Belt Anybody” Montero (@MonteroOnBoxing)

4 years ago

Outstanding work Ismael!!!

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Michael “We'll Belt Anybody” Montero (@MonteroOnBoxing)

Appreciate all the support, Mike!

Henry Evans

4 years ago

Amazing finds, it would be great of you could find some photos of Monk Eastman

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Henry Evans

Thanks, Henry! Monk would certainly be a gem. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for him on my next trip.

Hendrik Wijnhoven

4 years ago

Amazing pictures. Nice research Ismael. I enjoyed it including the stories that go with it. I hope you find more (Greetings from the Netherlands)

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Hendrik Wijnhoven

Greetings, Hendrik! Very happy to know my work reached you across the pond. Appreciate the kind words and I’m confident there’s more stuff out there to discover. Fingers crossed…

Chris quirke

4 years ago

Great work keep looking as we will

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Chris quirke

You got it, Chris. The support means the world to me.

Mike

4 years ago

Wow, thank you for uploading these pictures. The shot of D’Aquila in the pharmacy is especially fascinating because you can see what type of products were sold in stores back then!

4 years ago

Have you unearthed any awesome pics of the Amberg or Shapiro brothers? Or Reina?

waterurseeds

4 years ago

Wow, those pics are amazingly clear and smooth for their age!

Thats some great research and digging, Ismael… Coincidentally Im currently reading ‘First Family’ which centres on The Morello family so I skipped that section to avoid too many spoilers! haha

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to waterurseeds

That’s awesome brother, I really enjoyed that book and it gave me confidence to do my own research. Yes, definitely avoid that Morello section until you finish the book haha Let me know what you think, I’d love a TV series on the Morellos.

waterurseeds

4 years ago

Reply to Ismael AbduSalaam

Yeah its a great book man… i just got to the part (demise) of the Camorra and the Navy Street Gang etc amazing how the Camorra could have give the Mafia a real run for their money and essentially changed organised crime in the US…

Ahh, I never thought about a Morellos TV series, that would be insaaaane! That definitely needs the full HBO/Showtime, big budget, period costumes and set treatment!

Crackjackson

4 years ago

I’m also very interested in the Amberg and Shapiro brothers. Have you come across any new pics or info about them?

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Crackjackson

Glad to hear it on your Amberg and Shapiro interest! I did find leads on some potential pictures from the Amberg 1926 Tombs prison breakout and potentially some of Meyer Shapiro’s murder, but alas I’ll have to wait until the Archives open back up to follow-up.

Dave D

4 years ago

Very cool!!!.thank you.

Nucky Lucania

4 years ago

Ismael,

These are truly incredible. The amount of work, and research that went into this is deserves recognition. I truly appreciate it, as the 1920s have always been fascinating to me so it was no problem for me to read every word and study every photo.

I was wondering if you would have access to more? Arnold Rothstein, and Legs Diamond to name a few, would be interesting crime scenes. Both went out in gangland style hits.

Anyways,

Thank you

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Nucky Lucania

Thanks for the kind words, Nucky! There is still plenty to go through regarding more potential findings. Before the pandemic shut everything down, I do remember seeing notes that indicate crime photos may exist of the hotel room where Rothstein was shot. Since he was rushed to the hospital and lingered a few days, anything that’s found would likely just be of the room and maybe the murder weapon that was tossed onto the street. Once we’re allowed back on site, I’ll be sure to look into what Rothstein photos have survived . The NYC records I used didn’t include Legs Diamond’s murder since it happened in Albany. If they still exist, they’d likely be at the New York State Archives which I haven’t had the pleasure of researching yet (in due time). I really appreciate your encouraging words and thanks again for reading.

Nick Avvento

4 years ago

Hi, these are great! Do you happen to have or come across photos or information on Saverio “Sam” Pollaccia? He is of Brooklyn, by way of Sicily, and was connected with Masseria, Anastasia, Yale, Luciano, etc. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Nick

Ismael AbduSalaam

4 years ago

Reply to Nick Avvento

Thanks for reading, Nick! In my research, the only thing I’ve seen on Pollaccia was a document referencing pictures still existing of his fingerprints from a 1932 arrest. It appears in all aspects he still remains a shadowy figure, but I’ll keep an eye out on my next Archives visit.

Michael Coluccio

4 years ago

Unbelievable finds, especially the Coll photos. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Please keep us apprised of anything else you can dig up.

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Cardion

3 years ago

I have just started reading about a lot of this stuff. I am ashamed to say, but I am 36 years old and had no clue who Sammy the Bull even was!! Needless to say, I am a researcher and go all in. This stuff is just so fascinating, not in a way that I am glorifiying it. But in a way that my mind is constantly wondering what brings humans to the brink. Like what brings a man to turn into a serial killer. I would like to thank you, brother, for providing this information. I ended up here randomly by reading about stories. Such a great job, especially for you to take your time to detail these stories. Thank you!!!!

Ismael AbduSalaam

3 years ago

Reply to Cardion

Thank you so much, Cardion! Great to hear you’re digging into these subjects. There’s so many layers and stories yet untold.

John S Sullins

3 years ago

I’m late, but this is dope! I see you’re a Morehouse Man. I’m a native of and attended Tuskegee! Good finds man! Keep up the great work!

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Gangster Era Reborn: Unearthed Crime Scenes from New York’s Prohibition Underworld

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