New York mafia boss Frank Cali was killed by a lovestruck ‘knucklehead’ who shot him dead after being told he wasn’t allowed to date mobster’s relative
Anthony Comello sealed his own fate when he handed his victim a license plate with his finger prints on it
GAMBINO mafia boss Frank Cali was killed by a lovestruck "knucklehead" who shot him dead after being told he wasn’t allowed to date another mobster’s niece, it's claimed.
Anthony Comello, a 24-year-old labourer who lives with his parents, is in custody in New Jersey facing a murder charge.
He was nicked before the mob could get to him after leaving cops a trail of clues, .
Cali, reputedly one of America's most feared mafiosi, was blasted at least ten times outside his Staten Island mansion on Wednesday.
Cops revealed he shook hands with his killer and the "hit" was caught on CCTV.
A Gambino power struggle was the initial theory - but police now suspect a personal motive.
Investigators believe the execution-style slaying may have been revenge for Cali preventing his niece from dating Comello, sources have said.
EVIDENCE IN VICTIM'S HANDS
Law enforcement authorities now anticipate a possible hit on Comello, according to the Post.
Sources told the news outlet that, although officials haven't confirmed the crime clan has posted a bounty on the suspect, "the general feeling is that there's an 'X' on his back."
A high-ranking NYPD official reportedly said. "He’s going to have some issues in jail."
Comello was arrested before the ire of the entire Gambino organisation could thunder his way, but only thanks to his own alleged ineptitude.
The reported that, in a fleeting gesture Comello may now have a lifetime in prison to regret, he picked up and handed to Cali a fallen licence plate moments before allegedly opening fire.
It turned out he may have been handing over the murder’s most incriminating evidence — to his own alleged victim.
Investigators dusted the licence plate and found Comello's fingerprints, police said.
Realising they did not have a well-orchestrated mob assassination on their hands, the FBI soon scaled back their role in the murder investigation, leaving the NYPD in control, sources said.
“This went from the perfect crime to amateur hour,” one law enforcement source quipped.
SHOT IN THE BACK
The Cali and his killer were captured on surveillance footage from the mobster’s brick mansion on Staten Island.
The mob boss was said to have been lured outside when a blue pickup truck crashed into his Cadillac Escalade.
Footage from the property, which authorities obtained using a search warrant, shows Cali and the man having a conversation and shaking hands before the man passes Cali the licence plate.
The man then opened fire with a 9mm weapon as Cali turned his back to put the plate in the boot of the Escalade, according to sources.
Cali tried to escape the hail of bullets by hiding under the Cadillac, which initially led investigators to believe that he had been run over during the attack. Police no longer believe that was the case.
Comello will be extradited to Staten Island in the next few days, where he will face murder charges.
The stunning hit was thought to be the first assassination of a New York City mob boss since an upstart John Gotti had Gambino boss Paul Castellano whacked outside Sparks Steak House in 1985.
Cali's murder was also the first assassination of a New York crime boss ever recorded on video.
