How a Fresno Family Bombed a Nevada Casino 39 Years Ago
By News
Published 5 years ago on
August 26, 2019
Share
[aggregation-styles]
The Atavist Magazine
The Atavist Magazine
The helicopter thundered over the darkened forest, heading west, rising into the mountains beneath an almost full moon. Even for FBI special agent Dell Rowley, a slight five foot nine, the narrow cargo space behind the two front seats was a tight fit. The helmet and Kevlar vest he wore over his black fatigues, and the weapons he carried, did not make it any more comfortable. But the pilot was supposed to be alone, so Rowley had to stay where he was. Besides, the copilot’s seat was occupied by three canvas money bags, stuffed with cut-and-bound bundles of newsprint calculated to match the weight and volume of almost $3 million in $100 bills—and $1,000 in cash, to complete the effect.
By the ambient glow of the instrument panel, Rowley read the second letter from the extortionists whose giant bomb currently sat in the second-floor offices of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino, 20 miles away, back in Stateline, Nevada. The bomb was silently counting down to an explosion that the nation’s best technicians still had no idea how to prevent. The author of the letters was given to grandiose turns of phrase and idiosyncratic language and had provided complex instructions for the ransom drop: a helicopter, a lone pilot, a flight along Highway 50 into the mountains, a signal from a strobe light, a clearing for a landing zone, the $3 million in used bills. No weapons, no one riding shotgun. The first note had concluded with an ironic flourish. “Happy landing,” it read, a subtly misaligned row of letters banged out on an electric typewriter.
By the ambient glow of the instrument panel, Rowley read the second letter from the extortionists whose giant bomb currently sat in the second-floor offices of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino, 20 miles away, back in Stateline, Nevada. The bomb was silently counting down to an explosion that the nation’s best technicians still had no idea how to prevent. The author of the letters was given to grandiose turns of phrase and idiosyncratic language and had provided complex instructions for the ransom drop: a helicopter, a lone pilot, a flight along Highway 50 into the mountains, a signal from a strobe light, a clearing for a landing zone, the $3 million in used bills. No weapons, no one riding shotgun. The first note had concluded with an ironic flourish. “Happy landing,” it read, a subtly misaligned row of letters banged out on an electric typewriter.
By Adam Higginbotham | 26 Aug 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
California Leaders Take Sides in Monumental Supreme Court Case on Homelessness
Housing /
38 mins ago
Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court
U.S. /
12 hours ago
Real Estate Experts Talk Fresno’s Economic Future. Are Tough Times Ahead?
Economy /
14 hours ago
Unlocking the Secrets to Fresno State’s Superb Baseball Season
Sports /
15 hours ago
Get a 3D First Look at Merced’s High-Speed Rail Station Design
Events /
16 hours ago
California Court to Decide on Transgender Ballot Measure Wording
Politics /
16 hours ago
Rare House Vote Sees Ukraine, Israel Aid Advance as Democrats Join Republicans
Politics /
18 hours ago
The Pickle Flavor Frenzy and Its Rise in Food Trends
You might have noticed that the tangy taste of pickles has taken over more than just the condiment aisle. From pickle-flavored popcorn to pi...
Food /
8 mins ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
Food /
8 mins ago
The Pickle Flavor Frenzy and Its Rise in Food Trends
Housing /
38 mins ago
California Leaders Take Sides in Monumental Supreme Court Case on Homelessness
U.S. /
12 hours ago
Man Sets Himself on Fire Outside Trump Hush Money Trial Court
Economy /
14 hours ago
Real Estate Experts Talk Fresno’s Economic Future. Are Tough Times Ahead?
Sports /
15 hours ago
Unlocking the Secrets to Fresno State’s Superb Baseball Season
Economy /
2 days ago