Criminal Podcast Episode Summary: "Into the Vault"

Released on September 13, 2024 by Vox Media Podcast Network

Overview

"Into the Vault," an episode of the acclaimed podcast Criminal hosted by Phoebe Judge, delves into one of the most audacious heists in the history of New England. This episode narrates the story of Robert Dussault and his accomplice, Chuckie Flynn, as they orchestrate the robbery of the Hudson Fur storage facility's secret vault in Providence, 1975. The podcast meticulously traces Dussault's tumultuous life, the intricate planning of the heist, its execution, the ensuing manhunt, and the lingering mysteries surrounding his fate.

1. Background of Robert Dussault

Timestamp: [01:28] - [03:43]

Robert Dussault, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1940, emerged from a large French Canadian family fraught with deception and criminal undertones. From a young age, Dussault was immersed in illicit activities, often participating in thefts during family wakes. His sister Dorothy played a pivotal role in selling stolen goods, laying the foundation for Dussault's criminal inclinations.

Dussault's upbringing was marred by revelations about his true parentage. Wayne Worcester recounts, "[03:23] He grew up in a large French Canadian family, and who he thought was his oldest sister, he learned, was actually his mother. And he was the last one to learn that. And after that, his entire world was rocked."

His partnership with Charles "Chucky" Flynn was both personal and professional, forming a mini criminal organization that thrived on orchestrated chaos.

2. The Early Criminal Ventures and Imprisonment

Timestamp: [04:17] - [05:24]

Dussault's criminal exploits were diverse, ranging from robbing pawn shops to assaulting police officers. Notably, in 1967, along with his brothers Paul and Christopher, he planned a simultaneous dual-bank robbery. However, betrayal led to the collapse of their scheme, resulting in Dussault receiving a 15 to 30-year sentence at Walpole State Prison.

While incarcerated, Dussault demonstrated his manipulative prowess by usurping control of the prison's stamp collector's club, orchestrating a scheme to siphon valuable stamps into a covert distribution network.

Tim White notes, "[05:24]...the prison manufactured license plates. And Robert Tussault got the stamps into a crate of license plates on its way to the Department of Transportation, where a friend was expecting them."

3. Plotting the Hudson Fur Heist

Timestamp: [09:03] - [12:07]

Upon his transfer to a lower security prison in Greenfield, Dussault seized opportunities for furloughs, further expanding his criminal endeavors. In the summer of 1975, he and Chucky orchestrated the daring plan to rob the Hudson Fur storage facility in Providence, owned by the notorious mob boss Raymond Patriarcha.

Wayne Worcester elucidates, "[11:34]...the plan was to rob the Hudson Furs storage facility in Providence."

The vault, known as the Bonded Vault Company, housed 148 safety deposit boxes containing millions in coins, jewelry, and cash. Despite its apparent lack of sophisticated security, Patriarcha's influence made the heist perilous, as any misstep could invite deadly repercussions.

4. Execution of the Heist

Timestamp: [17:02] - [21:44]

The heist commenced on August 14, 1975. Dussault, armed and strategic, entered the Hudson Fur facility, subduing the owner, Sam Levine, and securing the premises. Initially hindered by malfunctioning drills, the team resorted to brute force, successfully breaching 146 out of 148 doors in the vault.

Wayne Worcester describes the chaos within the vault: "[19:42]...they had run out of places to put things...the trunk of the sedan almost touched the asphalt because it was so heavy in the back of the vehicle."

The estimated value of the stolen goods skyrocketed from an initial $1 million to approximately $30 million—a staggering sum for 1975.

5. Aftermath and Fragmentation of the Crew

Timestamp: [21:57] - [24:17]

Post-heist, the group dispersed, with each member receiving around $64,000. Dussault, alongside his girlfriend Karen Sponheim, ventured to California, while Chucky succumbed to his gambling addiction in Las Vegas. Disparities in the distribution of loot, particularly the absence of $500 bills in Dussault's share, hinted at internal conflicts and potential betrayal.

Wayne Worcester observes, "[23:33]...Chucky keeps coming to Dusalt's aid because he loves them. I mean, they're all each other has at the end of the day."

6. The Manhunt and Dussault's Capture

Timestamp: [24:29] - [30:39]

Authorities swiftly initiated a manhunt, culminating in Dussault's capture on January 1, 1976, in Las Vegas. His arrest was fraught with irony—possessing multiple fake IDs and a newspaper clipping of his indictment. During interrogation, the revelation that Chucky Flynn was allegedly killed for attempting to eliminate Dussault compelled him to confess, providing critical testimony that led to Flynn's conviction.

Wayne Worcester recounts, "[30:45]...Detective leans in and he says, Chucky's dead. He came here to kill you. We know it. We have sources telling us he refused to do it, so they killed him."

7. Trial and Testimony

Timestamp: [32:11] - [33:15]

Dussault's cooperation with law enforcement, under the protection of the Witness Protection Program, proved instrumental in dismantling parts of Raymond Patriarcha's criminal operations. His testimony was pivotal in securing a conviction against Chucky Flynn, who received a life sentence.

Tim White summarizes, "[33:04]...Deuce's testimony got Chucky convicted, and Chucky was sentenced to life in prison for this."

Interestingly, Patriarcha remained untouchable, his influence shielding him from prosecution despite the havoc wrought by the heist.

8. The Enigma of Dussault's Fate

Timestamp: [36:21] - [42:07]

Years later, investigative reporters Tim White, Wayne Worcester, and Randall Richards embarked on uncovering the true fate of Robert Dussault. Official records suggested he assumed the identity Robert Dempsey and continued his criminal endeavors until his death in federal custody in 1992. However, inconsistencies surfaced when family members contradicted the timeline, revealing potential manipulations and lingering mysteries.

Wayne Worcester speculates, "[41:22]...if there was anyone that would pull off something like this, it was Robert D. Salt."

The culmination of their investigation hinted at possible orchestrations by Dussault himself to evade complete accountability, leaving his ultimate fate shrouded in ambiguity.

Notable Quotes

1. Wayne Worcester on Dussault's Early Life:

   • "[03:23] He grew up in a large French Canadian family, and who he thought was his oldest sister, he learned, was actually his mother. And he was the last one to learn that."

2. Wayne Worcester on the Heist's Execution:

   • "[18:07]...they popped off 146 out of 148 doors in that room that day."

3. Wayne Worcester on Patriarcha's Influence:

   • "[09:24]...if you didn't, you might as well sign your own death warrant."

4. Wayne Worcester on the Aftermath and Internal Conflicts:

   • "[25:16]...He was always looking for things to pass the time and had decided that he wanted to get involved in a scheme to steal valuable stamps."

Conclusion

"Into the Vault" masterfully encapsulates the intricate web of loyalty, betrayal, and survival within the criminal underworld of 1970s New England. Through meticulous storytelling, Criminal not only recounts a staggering heist but also explores the psychological and societal factors that shaped its perpetrators. The unresolved questions surrounding Robert Dussault's fate add a layer of intrigue, underscoring the enduring fascination with true crime narratives.

For those intrigued by stories of high-stakes crime and the elusive nature of justice, "Into the Vault" offers a compelling listen that resonates with the complexities of human behavior and the shadows of organized crime.