Prosecutors on Tuesday issued
arrest warrants against four alleged members of the Naples-based
Camorra mafia, including one man who began extorting money for
his crime family immediately after he was released from prison
last month, authorities said.
An alleged Casalesi crime family hitman known as a member
of the "cayman gang" because he kept an almost two-metre live
cayman on his balcony to intimidate victims, Antonio Cristofaro
was released March 8.
On March 28, he tried to extort 10,000 euros from a local
wholesaler, who reported him to authorities.
The extortion victim said Cristofaro kept two guns in full
view on the table throughout their conversation.
"Then he said, 'we're in charge here. Get me 10,000 euros
by Easter and if you love your children, don't worry about a
thing'," the victim told police.
The businessman agreed to set up a sting, following which
police on Tuesday nabbed three other alleged members of the
cayman gang on aggravated extortion charges.
These are Amedeo Caterino, son of boss Nicola Caterino, and
Michele and Nicola Cristofaro, brothers of Antonio, who is still
on the lam.
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