One of three sons born to Melchiarre and Marie Perrone in Alcamo,
Province of Trapani, Sicily on Christmas day 1895. Perrone emigrated to the U.S. in 1912 (at the age of 17) finding work at Detroit Stove Works as a core maker. Sam was joined at Michigan Stove Works by his brother Gaspar upon his arrival in the U.S. a couple of years later. In addition to his job at Stove Works, Perrone entered the rackets, an oppurtunity provided by the presence of Sam Catalanotte, a highly placed member of the Gianolla gang who hailed from Alcamo as well. Perrone's relation to Catalanotte (Catalanotte married a member of the Perrone family) undoubtably helped Perrone establish himself during the early years of prohibition with the leaders of the Gianolla gang. It was this association which earned Santo his first arrest on a charge of murder on January 12,1920 when police found the body of Angelo Russo shot and stabbed near Southern Ave., and Miller Rd. Witnesses reported seeing Russo abducted from a location in the eastern portion of the city a few hours before his body was found. This arrest was the first of many outbursts of violence which led to Perrone's acquisition of nicknames like shark and the enforcer. Perrone spent less than twenty-four hours in the custody of the Detroit police and Wayne County sheriffs before being cut loose. It would be another 10 years before Perrone would chart another entry in his criminal ledger.
Perrone Adds To His Rap Sheet
Santo added his second charge on November 28, 1930 when he arrested in Detroit for violation of the National Prohibition Act. This arrest came at a time when the Detroit Sicilian colony was in the midst of a change in leadership as the beloved and respected Salvatore (Sam) Catalanotte was resting amoungst a host of friends and foes in Mt. Carmel Cemetery having died eight months earlier after a brief battle with pneumonia on the eve of his 36th birthday. His death stripped Sam of his political protection and forced him to choose sides in the lucartive smuggling operations which thrived in Detroit's Sicilian quarter. (Note: Sam received a sentence of six months in the Detroit House of Corrections on September 18, 1931). Perrone busied himself helping Frank Coppola, Onofrio Minaudo and Joe Catalanotte carryout crimes in the areas of extortion, gambling, liquor and alien smuggling. Perrone's participation in these events led to arrests for investigation of larceny (May 2, 1931), investigation (January 29, 1932) and investigation of arson (July 9, 1933).
Perrone Battles The UAW-CIO
Sam and Gaspar Perrone's duties as employees of Detroit Stove Works included strikebreaking an undertaking the violence prone Sam took great pride in performing. One early example of the effectiveness of the Perrone's as strikebreakers occured on April 7, 1934 when a full scale riot broke out resulting in the arrest of the union pickets and a police escourt for Perrone and his boys. Seven days later, Perrone forces attacked Victor D. Joughe a picket as he made his way home after a long day on the front line. Joughe suffered a gash to his right arm. Police responding to the call located Sam Perrone and Bart Fasio at a loading station for their strikebreakers at Mack and McDougal streets and and arrested them for carrying concealed weapons. Both men were later released on their own recognizance without further action being taken. Perrone's escape of the charges in both of these cases was believed to have been instigated by a bribe paid by or political influence excercised on his behalf by the leaders of the Detroit Stove Works Co. Shortly after his arrest, the strike at the Jefferson Ave., plant ended with the facility remaining a non union shop. Stove Works President John A. Fry rewarded the Perrone brothers for their success in saving the company a small fortune in salary increases and benefits afforded union members by giving Sam a scrap hauling contract and Gaspar a contract in the company foundry which allowed him to create his own castings. These contracts were worth an estimated $65,000 annually. Investigators later accused Perrone of importing gangsters from Chicago to beef up his strikebreaking force during this battle. Perrone's victory would be short lived as he and brohter Gaspar were picked up on February 13, 1936 and charged with the manufacture and possession of untaxed liquor. A charge of violating Internal Revenue laws (conspiracy) was attached a couple of months later (April 2, 1936) by the Feds. Santo and Gaspar Perrone received concurrent six year sentences on February 2, 1937. The duo was transferred from the Federal Detention Farm in Milan, Michigan
to Leavenworth Federal Prison in Kansas on February 19th. During their abscense the contracts awarded them by John Fry remained in tact with their interests administered by their wives. The Perrone boys were granted parole in May (Gaspar on the 17th) and June (Sam on the 1st), 1939 after Stove Works President Fry guaranteed the court that they would be gainfully employed at Stove Works. Fry was all to happy to see the return of his personal enforcement group. Santo was filled in on the details of the labor situation which had changed dramatically during his two year abscense. During his jail stint, the UAW had returned to Stove Works and successfully organized the workers at the Jefferson Avenue plant. Sam set about the task of removing the union influence from his beloved work shop. Within two months of their release, the UAW chapter representing the Jefferson Avenue plant workers had been defeated and completely removed from the facility. Sam employed every trick in the book to acheive his goal. Investigators later listened to stories detailing his groups efforts to pass bribes to union officers while intimidating committeemen, smashing windows, setting off bombs, beating loyal union followers, issuing threats and more. Perrone provided the UAW with yet another chance to move in on Detroit Stove Works when he appeared to violate the terms and conditions of his parole after he, Gaspar and Matteo (the third Perrone brother) were arrested October 31, 1942 by members of the Detroit police in conjunction with the FBI for violation of the Federal Firearms Act. The charge against them really belittles the serious nature of the offense which brought them into custody. The Perrone trio had in their possession dynamite fuses, caps and a cache of weapons which would have made for an interesting stand off had the brothers been in a position to reach the armory they maintained in their lockers on the premises of Detroit Stove Works. The UAW decided to move against the Perrones while they were enjoying their all expenses paid vacation courtesy of the government. Unfortunately a delay in the filing process coupled with the dismissal of the charges against the Perrones railroaded their efforts. Angered by the UAW's third attempt to muscle it's way into what he had come to view as his operation, the hotheaded Sam Perrrone proved why some people referred to him as the shark. One year and a day after their arrest on the weapons charges, Sam Perrone's forces unleashed a rash of beatings which included the December 1 attack on union organizer Joseph LeBlanc. LeBlanc emerged from his home and noticed that all four tires on his auto had been slashed. As he bent over to inspect the damage to one of the wheels, he was attacked from behind by two men armed with lead pipes. LeBlanc suffered serious wounds to his head, arms and shoulders but no official action was taken as police were unable to establish the identity of his attackers. Undeterred by their frequent defeats at the hands of the Perrones, UAW officials tried once more, finally winning elections at both Detroit Stove Works plants on Jefferson Avenue and it's subsidiary which operated at 6450 McNichols Avenue in East Detroit under the name of Metal Fabricating Company in April 1944. Sam responded to this challenge in typical fashion unleashing his goon squad to carryout it's usual beatings, bombings and intimidation tactics. They also employed a more approach circulating petitions amoung the plants workers denouncing the UAW contract. A return to the violent ways which had worked so well in the past was expected to occur at anytime and true to forum, Perrone struck on June 2nd. UAW committeemna John McCarthy was awakened by the sound of breaking glass emminating from the ground floor of his home. Three nights later, someone tossed a chisel through a rear window in the home. The following month Perrone gangster and convicted immigrant smuggler Frenchie Girard attacked and administered a savage beating upon the person of Sam Mazzolla a shop steward at Stove Works. Girard used a steel bar to relay Perrone's displeasure with Mazzolla's participation in the UAW. The attack left Mazzolla hospitalized for weeks. Upon his release, Mazzolla drug Girard into court with a cival suite. The entire process proved to be a total waste of time after Mazzolla was pulled over by Detroit police officers who upon conducting a search of Mazzolla's vehicle located a loaded handgun. Mazzola was scheduled to appear in court the following day in connection with his cival suite against Girard. Mazzolla remained in custody just long enough for his case to be dismissed after he failed to show up in court. A perplexed Mazzolla found no charges logged against him when he was released the following day. The aforementioned John McCarthy found himself the focus of Perrone's attention when he was confronted by two goons armed with lead pipes who requested that he immediately disassociate himself from the UAW at once. McCarthy escaped a shark attack by giving his word that he would indeed resign his post at the next UAW meeting. McCarthy then met with Mazzolla who had been left traumatized by the entire sequence of events and both men agreed to resign their posts wihin the UAW. Within three weeks the once promising union had completely dissolved under the constant threat of violence presented by the shark and his forces. A union organizer by the name of Emil Mazey was instructed to find out what was going on with the Stove Works Union found that the entire membership had melted and away and the terms of the union contract were no longer being complied with. Jess Ferrazza attempted to reorganize the terrified employees of Stove Works. His efforts quickly drew the attention of a man identified only as Gus who offered $1,000 if he would cease with his efforts at once. Authorities later identified the mysterious Gus as a frequent visitor to Santo Perrone's headquarters located at Jefferson and Canton directly across the street from Detroit Stove Works. The payment was never passed as Gus noticed the UAW seemed to be watching his every move. Instead Perrone introduced a whole new set of players into the UAW battle. Forces of the Perrone gang were given an infusion when they were able to call on the services of men under the employ of Tom and Joe Moceri two prohibition era crime figures. Both of the Moceri brothers had been jailed numerous times for armed robbery and income tax violation. They also played prominent roles in the numbers racket which was at the time a new and exciting venture under the control of Pete Licavoli and Michael Rubino. This new combination of Moceri's coupled with the strength of the Perrones, spelled doom for the fledgling UAW chapter.
Briggs Manufacturing Company
Sam was arrested for his attempts to keep the UAW out of Detroit Stove Works on October 17, 1945. Santo avoided a return to Leavenworth when John Fry once again secured his release with a declaration of employment. Fry continued to protect the Perrone's while securing an appointment as Deputy Commissioner of the Detroit Police Department. Fry was also a close friend of Dean Robinson, the son-in-law of the founder of Briggs Manufacturing Co. Robinson served as the companies labor relations chief, a role which unboubtably brought him into contact with men like Perrone. Robinson took on the role of company President in 1945 and quickly awarded a scrap metal contract to Carl Renda. Renda was the 28 year old adopted son of Perrone's longtime friend and associate Onofrio Minaudo and was married to Santo's daughter. The contract between Briggs and Renda was signed April 7, 1945 just weeks before Briggs union members began experiencing the violence and intimidation that organizers at Detroit Stove Works had been subjected to. Renda was awarded the contract inspite of the fact that he had no prior experience dealing in scrap hauling invoking memories of the contract presented to his father-in-law by John Fry several years before. Renda overcame this obstical by sub-contracting the actual hauling of the steel to another company and pocketing the difference. After deductions and expenses, Renda realized a profit of $53,000 in 1946 and $101,000 in 1947. When questioned as to why his company offered such a rich contract to a man with no prior experience or knowledge of the hauling industry, Robinson told his director of purchasing that he had no choice in the matter. Renda's involvement with Briggs brought immediate labor peace to a company that had lost 1,600,000 labor hours in 1945. After Renda joined the team, that figure was dropped to 600,000 hours a year later. The involvement of Carl Renda with Briggs Manufacturing Company struck a sour cord with Walter Ruether the newly elected head of the UAW-CIO. Ruether initiated a grand jury investigation into the beatings of several UAW organizers in connection with their attempts to organize Briggs after the deal had been struck with Renda. While no charges resulted from this inquiry, Ruether emerged from the proceedings with a bullseye on his back placed there by Mr. Sam Perrone.
More Trouble at Detroit Stove Works
Chief James Butterfield of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service led a raid upon Detroit Stove Works resulting in the arrest of twenty Sicilian aliens smuggled into the country by the Perrone brothers. The ensuing investigation found that Santo and his brother Gaspar actively participated in the smuggling of Sicilian immigrants into the country often using a boat owned by Gaspar to ferry the aliens across the Detroit river to and from Detroit and Windsor. The immigrants were most often put to work at Detroit Stove Works where they worked for far lower than the going rate. When questioned about these allegations in his appearance before the Kefauver committee Perrone replyed "I don't know nothing about it." The investigation also turned up evidence that the Perrone forces had managed a take over of UAW local 212 and even used the operation to conduct a booming numbers bank. This investigation resulted in little publicity and even less action taken against Perrone and his gang.
The Shooting of Walter Ruether
The animosity between Walter Ruether and Santo Perrone went back to 1937 and the battle of the overpass which ended with Perrone supplying strongarm enforcers to back the wishes of Henry Fords labor relations manager Harry Bennett. Bennett then unleashed a band thugs swinging lead pipes one of which found it's mark on the skull of Ruether. Ruether's continued efforts to organize businesses with ties to Santo Perrone irritated the fiesty labor racketeer to no end. Perrone began plotting the death of his nemesis at once. The plot which was launched several weeks in advance came together on the night of April 20, 1948 when Ruether returned to his home after a late meeting in the Cadillac Hotel. Ruether ususally parked his car on a side street and entered his home through a side door. On this night he parked instead in front of his home and made his way through the front door, a move which may have saved his life as authorities later learned that a Perrone gunman had been lying in wait for Ruether's nightly arrival at that door. Ruether entered his kitchen and ate a late dinner. As he moved to the refrigerator the deep roar of a .12 gauge shot gun echoed through the night. The sound of breaking glass was drowned out as Walter streiked from the pain of the 18 slugs which ripped thorough his body tearing away a good portion of his right arm. Ruether also suffered serious wounds caused by slugs which entered his side and back bouncing off his rib cage before exiting through the front of his body. As an emergency team arrived to take the seriously wounded union leader away he was heard to mumble "Those bastards had to shoot me in the back...They couldn't come out in the open and fight!" Ruether survived the brasin attack and was treated not long after the attack by a front page story which announced yet another raid on Detroit Stove Works which netted an additional sixty illegal aliens of Sicilian descent slaving away at the facility. This
was quickly followed up by the closing of Perrone's hangout across the street from the Stove Works facility by the name of the Canton bar. The Canton bar was said to be an important meeting place for Perrones labor forces who would launch their attacks from the location after receiving their marching orders from Perrone who kept himself isolated within the confines of his nearby gas station.
The Fallout from the Ruether Shooting
With every government agency and entity watching his every move from the department of immigration to the IRS, Santo Perrone's days as a power figure within the Detroit underworld seemed numbered. The closing of the Canton Bar led to the demotion of a member of the Detroit police department who was suspected of being the hidden owner of the Canton using his brother-in-law as a frontman. Revelations were brought fourth detailing Perrone's influence over a high ranking immigration official who endorsed a permit to carry a concealed weapon for Carl Renda in 1946. Perrone himself was picked up at a hunting lodge he owned in Northern Michigan on a charge of illegal hunting after investigators caught him using an illegal hunting technique known as shinning. This coupled with the series of raids on Stove Works began to make some of Santo's underworld connections very uncomfortable. As with most things, the passage of time cooled the zeil investigators had for catching Santo Perrone for his labor related acts. Only independent investigators hired by the UAW continued their search for clues into the shootings, beatings and bombings which had been used to successfully fight off their attempts to infiltrate companies like Stove Works. With the statute of limitations about to expire on the Ruether shooting, the UAW received a fortunate break when it's investigators located a man named Donald Joseph Ritchie who had been hired by Perrone to participate in the plot against Walter Ruether. Ritchie an ex-convict and nephew of a member of Perrone's inner circle who decided to tell his story in an attempt to make some money while he served a prison sentence in Canada.
Donald Ritchie's Tale of the Shooting of Walter Ruether
The UAW investigators had their first talk with Donald Ritchie on November 18, 1953. Ritchie initially refused to speak with the investigators informing them "I know what you want, but see me when I get out." Ritchie also relayed his desire to be paid for the information that he held but was certain that if he accepted the posted reward setup by the UAW in the case he would be killed before the payment was made so an alternate plan was hatched that paid his wife $25,000. Ritchie was to be paid $5,000 once he came to Detroit to tell his story under oath. The payment was to be paid in Canadian $100 bills to Betty White "one of the aliases used by Ritchie's common law wife." Ritchie arrived in Detroit to tell his tale in the later days of December 1953. 6 days after his arrival, a statement was released announcing the mystery of the Ruether shooting had been solved. Prosecutor Pat O'Brien secured arrest warrants for Santo Perrone, Carl Renda, Pete Lombardo and Clarence Jacobs "Ritchie's uncle." Ritchie's tale began with his declaration that he had been employed for at least 5 years by Santo Perrone as a gofer at a salary of $400 to $500 a week. Donald also detailed his enthusiasm when Perrone offered him a chance to participate in a job which would earn him $5,000. Ritchie claimed that Perrone asked him personally if he was in on the job several days before the Ruether shooting and he informed Sam that he was. He claims that he was unsure of what the job would be leading up to the time of the shooting as he was to afraid to ask any questions. Ritchie said he was picked up at Perrone's gas station by two men in a red mercury. When quizzed about the identity of his two accomplices he relayed the names of Peter Lombardo and his uncle Clarence Jacobs. According to Ritchie's statements, Lombardo drove the car while his uncle did the shooting. His role was to drive the car in case of an emergency. Following the shooting, Ritchie said he was dropped off at the Helen Bar located about 200 feet from Perrone's gas station. After having a couple of drinks, Ritchie went to see Carl Renda who handed him a wad of bills wich he counted out to be $5,000 exactly. Prosecutor O'Brien kept his material witness housed in the Statler Hotel in a three room suite with round the clock armed guards. On January 8, 1954 Ritchie informed his guards that he wanted to take a shower and went into the bath room turning on the water. After an hour the guards forced their way into the shower only to find Ritchie had escaped through an open window. Without their key witness teh prosecutions case quickly fell apart and all of the charges were dropped in the Ruether shooting. The side of law and order was forced to settle for a minor conviction stemming from Perrone's involvement in activities which kept the UAW out of Detroit Stove Works. Perrone was convicted of Conspiracy to Violate State Labor Laws in March of 1952. The original sentence of 2 years in state prison was eventually reduced to 2 years probation and a $1,000 fine. A laughable sentence for a man with the sharks reputation and bankroll. One interesting note from this case was, one of those convicted along with Perrone was his friend and distant relatve Onofrio Minaudo who also faced charges of violating immigration laws. A man of lesser stature and fortitude than Mr. Sam Perrone may have assessed all of the close calls and changed his style but not an old war horse like the shark. Instead of lowering his profile, his next run-in with the law demonstrated his utter lack of control, respect for rules and regulations and some would say a lack of common sense.
The Victor Oil Company Bombing
While Perrone had been listed as a suspect in a string of shootings, bombings and murders over the course of his long and bloody career. One stands out as one of the most bizare episodes in a senseless career. Santo Perrone's inability to follow protocol was well known in Detroit's underworld. His reputation as an uncontrolable loose cannon was apart of his lore. Sam Perrone had for years been allowed to make his own rules as long as he enjoyed success in his criminal endeavors but his off beat tactics finally caught up with him on October 18,1963 when he was arrested along with 3 members of his crew and charged with conspiracy to place an explosive device. The Criminal Intelligence Bureau launched an investigation into the activities of Santo Perrone after receiving a tip from one of their informants that the was attempting to revive the protection racket with a new twist. Perrone was said to be shaking down local business leaders after bombing their establishments. Investigators were aware of at least five bombings which they sought to attribute to Perrone's efforts to reestablish the art of extortion as one of his criminal undertakings. Undercover officers trailed Richard Lambert a known associate of Perrone's as he cased the Victor Oil Co., in Detroit. The actions of Lambert in addition to the meeting of Perrone with several known criminal figures throughout September and October 1961 led investigators to believe something big was in the making. These same investigators watched as Perrone met with Richard Lambert, Paul Tendiglia and Peter Guastella at the Village Supermarket owned by Guastella in St. Clair Shores, Michigan on September 13, 1961. Perrone followed this meeting up by going to a gun shop and purchasing a one pound can of gun powder before returning to AAA autowash in Detroit. Perrone and Lambert were next observed casing Victor Oil Co., on September 30th. 17 days later the establishment located at Warren and St. Jean Streets was rocked by an explosion. The following mourning Eugene Epstein the owner of the company received a call from an unidentified caller who warned "The next bomb will blow your place out of business and you into the graveyard." The same afternoon, John Harness came forward to announce that he had witnessed two men plant the bomb from across the street where he was spending sometime with a lady friend. Harness brashly recounted the details of his experience to the police and appeared ready to tell his story in court. Police quickly identified Santo Perrone, Richard Lambert, Peter Guastella and Paul Tendiglia from the descriptions Harness provided. All four were quickly apprehended and tested positive for traces of nitrate on their hands. Harness received a police guard and remained steadfast in his desire to proceed as a witness against Perrone and his gang. A series of delays pushed the trials start date back to September 27, 1962. By this time Harnesses friends and family had impressed upon him what he was doing and who he was doing it to. The once brave witness suddenly changed his mind and decided he wanted to recant his testimony. Without Harnesses eyewitness account, the case against Perrone and his associates fell apart and they were released after a motion dismissed all charges against them. The best chance to put the shark in a tank was lost but this episode proved to be the downfall of Santo Perrone as the underworld in Detroit was undergoing a face lift and the new leaders had no time or patience for the high profile antics of the old timer.
End of An Era
While Santo awaited trial for the bombing of the Victor Oil Co., the Detroit partnership was undergoing abit of a transformation. William Tocco, Angelo Meli and Joe Bommarito were in the process of retiring for health reasons and Joe Zerilli decided it was time to turn the reigns of the outfit to his only son Anthony who was anxious to make his mark in the world of his father. Young Tony was supported by a team of up and comers which included his cousin Jack Tocco as well as Tony and Billy Giacalone. Tony decided their was no place in his organization for a live wire like Sam Perrone and a plot was hatched to eliminate the hellion. On the January 19, 1963 Sam Perrone turned the ignition on his Pontiac which was parked outside of a Detroit carwash he owned and was nearly killed by the blast which claimed his right leg. As the bomb specialist was carried from the scene he fained amazement wondering out loud "I wonder who did it?" Santo knew as well as members of the FBI and local police who the responsible party was as they had caught Tony Giacalone planning the attack on illegal wiretaps set up by the FBI. Giacalone was later caught planning a second attack which included a plan to raid Perrone's Grosse Pointe Woods home with gunmen in an effort to finish the job they had started before the still dangerous shark could plot a retaliatory strike. The plot was nixed after Perrone took ill soon after the bombing and was forced to retire from the rackets all together. Perrone had been abandoned by his longtime supporter and superior Papa John Priziola who finally tired of Perrone's solo act and allowed the young turks of the Detroit syndicate make their move against the aging gangster. Santo Perrone died at his home in Grosse Pointe Woods on his 78th birthday (December 25, 1973) his place as a labor specialist had long ago been filled by Vincent Meli a graduate of Notre Dame University.
Zerilli decided it was time to turn the reigns of the outfit to his only son Anthony who was anxious to make his mark in the world of his father. Young Tony was supported by a team of up and comers which included his cousin Jack Tocco as well as Tony and Billy Giacalone. Tony decided their was no place in his organization for a live wire like Sam Perrone and a plot was hatched to eliminate the hellion. On the January 19, 1963 Sam Perrone turned the ignition on his Pontiac which was parked outside of a Detroit carwash he owned and was nearly killed by the blast which claimed his right leg. As the bomb specialist was carried from the scene he fained amazement wondering out loud "I wonder who did it?" Santo knew as well as members of the FBI and local police who the responsible party was as they had caught Tony Giacalone planning the attack on illegal wiretaps set up by the FBI. Giacalone was later caught planning a second attack which included a plan to raid Perrone's Grosse Pointe Woods home with gunmen in an effort to finish the job they had started before the still dangerous shark could plot a retaliatory strike. The plot was nixed after Perrone took ill soon after the bombing and was forced to retire from the rackets all together. Perrone had been abandoned by his longtime supporter and superior Papa John Priziola who finally tired of Perrone's solo act and allowed the young turks of the Detroit syndicate make their move against the aging gangster. Santo Perrone died at his home in Grosse Pointe Woods on his 78th birthday (December 25, 1973) his place as a labor specialist had long ago been filled by Vincent Meli a graduate of Notre Dame University.
