The Commandoes in the Bronx

[alexalonso]

During the 1950s there was a Puerto Rican club in the Bronx called the Commandoes that hung out on Caldwell Avenue. In 1957 there was a member of the club, Francisco "Frankie" Santana that killed an Irish kid from another club. He was sentences to 20 years and got out around 1980. He just recently died, about one month ago. He was 70 years old.

Does anyone have any knowledge on this club from 50 years ago?

[Silencioso]

It sounds like another case involving a NY gang called the Vampires. They were out looking for members of an Irish/Italian gang called the Nordics in Hell's Kitchen and settled for two non-gang affiliated white kids. It was big news at the time since gang related homicides were relatively rare and the victims were innocent civilians.

[alexalonso]

It sounds like another case involving a NY gang called the Vampires. They were out looking for members of an Irish/Italian gang called the Nordics in Hell's Kitchen and settled for two non-gang affiliated white kids. It was big news at the time since gang related homicides were relatively rare and the victims were innocent civilians.

Have you ever read any newspaper articles from the 1950s on these gangs?

[Silencioso]

I've never read the original newspaper articles. Here's a link that describes the case:

http://www.homicidesquad.com/images/capeman_murders.htm

[alexalonso]

I've never read the original newspaper articles. Here's a link that describes the case:

http://www.homicidesquad.com/images/capeman_murders.htm

that link is dead