While Metro was engaging in verbal battles with Tony Spilotro and his attorney Oscar goodman, they continued their efforts to put pressure on Tony Spilotro and his boys. Ernest Davino, one of the Hole in the Wall Gang regulars, was arrested on January 22, 1981. During a search of his residence at 2:45 that morning, a lock pick and a vial containing 26 black and orange pills were discovered and determined to be illegal drugs. Davino was charged with possession of burglary tools and possession of a controlled substance. Out on bail, he was arrested again on October 15, pursuant to a grand-jury indictment charging him with burglary and possession of stolen property.
On May 26, Lawrence Neumann - burglar, robber, and convicted killer - was observed seated in a parked vehicle in the vicinity of the Upper Crust. Interviewed by detectives, they determined that Neumann was an ex-felon who had failed to register with the police department upon his arrival in Las Vegas. After Neumann was taken into custody on that charge, his car was searched. Found in the glove box was a .380 Mauser semi-automatic pistol. A check of the weapon revealed it had been stolen in a burglary on April 9. As a result, Neumann was additionally charged with receiving stolen property and as an ex-felon in possession of a concealed weapon.
On July 28, police investigating a burglary-in-progress call at an auto-parts store located near the Upper Crust nabbed Leo Guardino. Guardino attempted to flee the area in his car, but was apprehended by the officers. He was arrested again in October pursuant to a grand-jury indictment charging him with burglary and possession of stolen property. The cops didn’t have to chase Guardino to arrest him this time; he was already in jail on yet another burglary charge.
All three of these men, and a few of their associates, were busted on another burglary-related charge during the year. But that caper had repercussions that would rock the world of organized crime.
Next: Bertha's - Part I
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