Book
Storming Las Vegas : how a Cuban-born, Soviet-trained commando took down the Strip to the tune of five world-class hotels, three armored cars, and millions of dollars
Edition
1st ed.
Publication Information
New York : Ballantine Books, c2008.
Physical Description
xii, 364 p. : ill., map ; 25 cm.
Summary
Born in Cuba, Jose Vigoa used his quick wits and quicker fists to trade a life of poverty and desperation for one of danger and adventure as a Soviet-trained special forces officer. Battle-hardened in Afghanistan and Angola, Vigoa won a reputation for toughness, bravery, and coolness under fire. Then, in 1980, Castro opened Cuba's floodgates in the Mariel boatlift, and Vigoa, like so many others, braved chaos and hardship to start a new life in America's promised land, but involvement with the drug trade landed him in prison. On his release in 1998, the former Spetsnaz lieutenant decided to take revenge on Las Vegas, where he launched the most audacious and ruthless series of high-profile casino and armored car robberies Vegas had ever seen. In 16 months, he and his crew stole millions. The robberies were so well executed that the police were all but helpless--until Lt. John Alamshaw got on the case.--From publisher description.