Saugus man charged as accessory to Bufalino robbery

SALEM - A Saugus man was arrested Tuesday for being an accessory to an armed robbery that reputed Revere mobster Darin Bufalino committed in Middleton a day earlier, the Essex County District Attorney's Office said.

John Viera, 47, of 42 Holland St., Saugus, turned himself into Winthrop police about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday for charges of being an accessory to armed robbery before and after the fact and threatening to commit a crime, according to Steve O'Connell, spokesman for Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

Middleton Police Chief James DiGianvittorio said Bufalino, 47, of 190 River Road, Winthrop, met with a 23-year-old landscaper on Village Road in Middleton about 12:30 p.m. Monday.

The victim planned to purchase a large amount of rock salt as part of a business transaction when Bufalino, a former enforcer of notorious mobster "Cadillac" Frank Salemme, allegedly pulled out a handgun and robbed the victim of $11,000 cash.

Bufalino fled onto nearby Interstate 95 and police in numerous North Shore communities, including Revere and Winthrop where he is known to frequent, were alerted of his vehicle's description.

Winthrop police said Bufalino made several calls saying he would turn himself in and did so about 6:15 p.m. He was transported back to Middleton by a State Police escort to face charges.

O'Connell said both Bufalino and Viera were arraigned Tuesday in Salem District Court.

Prosecutors requested $500,000 cash bail for Bufalino, who recently served a 10-year prison sentence for a 1993 Revere bank robbery, served approximately three years beginning in 1995 for non-fatally shooting a Revere woman, was acquitted of a 1984 Lynn murder on a technicality and widely rumored to have connections to others. Judge James Lamothe ordered him held on $75,000 cash bail, O'Connell said. Viera was ordered held on $7,500 cash bail.

Lamothe ordered Bufalino to wear an electronic ankle bracelet upon his release and to have absolutely no contact with the alleged victim, "including third party contact," O'Connell said. Viera was ordered the same conditions but does not have to wear an ankle bracelet.

Lynn Daily Item