Watch CBS News

Former FBI Agent Who Tracked Bulger: 'He's A Homicidal Maniac'

BOSTON (CBS) - Hundreds of officers from federal, state, and local agencies have worked countless hours trying to track down Whitey Bulger.

One of the officers involved in the hunt for Bulger spent months tracking the mobster, only to have his efforts thwarted by rogue FBI agent John Connolly.

In the early 1980s, Bob Long spent months in a rat-infested building on Lancaster Street taking pictures of Bulger meeting with Boston mafia members, the Anguilo brothers.

"We were so close to apprehending him back then," Long recounted.

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields talks former Special Agent Long

But little did he know at the time, every time he got close to Whitey, Connolly would tip off Bulger, and like the wind, he'd be gone.

"They were showing up every other day. The day we put the bugs in, they never showed up another day, said Long.

Read: Bulger arrested in California

Several years later, in 1985 John Connolly was instrumental in arresting the Anguilos.
But at the same time, Connolly was protecting Bulger, and he knew exactly what the State Police were doing.

"It never should have happened, it was out of control," he said.

Read: Bulger Left "Trail Of Bodies"

Bob Long retired from the State Police, and now owns a global security agency.

He says he couldn't be happier that his nemesis is finally under arrest.

"I was excited he will finally be brought back to Boston. He's a homicidal maniac."

He's not the only one.

Former Massachusetts State Police Colonel Tom Foley, the man who supervised the investigation which led to Bulger's indictment says he looks forward to seeing the leader of the Winter Hill Gang finally go to trial.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz talked to Foley

Podcast

He hopes the arrest will bring some semblance of closure to the families of Bulger's many victims.

"This is never going to close things out for them. It's never going to end their pain. I think this makes it a little more bearable," said Foley.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.