Nanuet’s 1981 Brink’s Robbery: A Deadly Heist and Its Aftermath

On October 20, 1981, a group of armed militants executed one of the most violent heists in American history, resulting in the deaths of three law enforcement officers and a Brink's guard. The robbery, which netted $1.6 million (equivalent to $5.4 million today), was carried out by members of the Black Liberation Army (BLA) and former Weather Underground radicals, all aligned with the May 19th Communist Organization. What followed was a deadly series of shootouts and a lengthy investigation that would span years.

The Robbery and Shootout

The robbery took place in Nanuet, New York, at the Nanuet Mall. The robbers, including figures like Kuwasi Balagoon and Mutulu Shakur, ambushed a Brink’s armored truck as it made a cash pickup. Armed with shotguns and an M16 rifle, they killed Brink’s guard Peter Paige instantly and wounded another guard, Joseph Trombino, who suffered severe injuries. Despite returning fire, the Brink’s truck driver, James Kelly, was also injured.

During the getaway, the robbers were met with police resistance. Officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown were killed in a second gunfight, while Detective Artie Keenan was seriously wounded. The robbers fled the scene, carjacking a nearby vehicle and continuing their escape.

A String of Arrests

The manhunt for the robbers was swift. Kathy Boudin, one of the getaway drivers, was apprehended after a witness spotted the suspects changing cars. Over the next few days, police tracked down other key figures, including David Gilbert and Marilyn Buck, whose involvement extended beyond the robbery to other violent activities. By the time all suspects were arrested, they were linked to not only the Brink's robbery but also to a series of bombings and armed robberies carried out in the name of revolution.

Trials and Sentencing

The trials for those involved were contentious and high-profile. Boudin, who had dropped her infant son off at a babysitter before the heist, was sentenced to 20 years to life after pleading guilty. Gilbert and others received sentences ranging from 25 years to life. Many of the defendants, including Sekou Odinga and Mutulu Shakur, maintained that their actions were justified in the name of political revolution.

Mutulu Shakur, the alleged mastermind, received a 60-year sentence and was not released until 2022 due to his terminal cancer diagnosis. Marilyn Buck, another key figure, was released in 2010 after serving 30 years in prison.

The Legacy

The robbery’s legacy is complicated. In 2004, a memorial was erected in Nyack to honor the fallen officers. The incident also became a point of controversy, with figures like Kathy Boudin later reintegrating into society. In 2008, Boudin became a professor at Columbia University, sparking outrage among some community members. In a twist of irony, her son, Chesa Boudin, was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, only to be recalled in 2022.