| Download Photo 1 | William F. | Beane | IL - Chicago; NY - New York; FL - Miami; FBIHQ; TX - Houston; PR - San Juan | 1951 - 1978 | Barbara Mackle Kidnapping, Samuel Bronfman Kidnapping, Star of India Theft | Mackle and Bronfman Kidnappings, Gary Krist, Alan Kuhn, Murf the Surf, Jewel Theft | For the FBI Oral History Heritage Project sponsored by the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, Inc., which holds the copyright to the material.
Special Agent Beane served in the FBI from 1951 to 1978. These interviews took place on January 24 and 27, 2005, by John Baber.
SA Bean joined the FBI in 1951. His first office was the Chicago Field Office, followed by the New York Field Office. He then went to FBI language school and was transferred to Miami where he specialized in jewel theft cases, which he had also worked in New York.
After the Mackle kidnapping case, SA Beane was transferred to FBIHQ to the kidnapping desk. He was a new agents’ class counselor, then reported to the inspection staff. He was appointed ASAC in the Houston Field Office, the Newark Field Office, then SAC San Juan PR and back to the New York Field Office as SAC of the Criminal Division. His final move was as SAC Chicago where he retired.
SA Beane talks at length of the Barbara Mackle kidnapping case. He also provided copious material which is included as addenda. Topics covered include the fact that Mr. Mackle was a friend of Director Hoover; the meticulous plans of the kidnappers; the ransom note and payoff; the capture of the kidnapper; and the discovery of Barbara Mackle, alive.
Another kidnap case is described at length – Samuel Bronfman in New York City. There is a direct connection with the Mackle case in the ransom note. Another kidnapping included in the interview describes two children taken in Puerto Rico.
The final section of the interview describes the Star of India robbery from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the apprehension of Alan Kuhn and Murph the Surf and friends. There is an interesting case made for constructive possession in one of the trials.
Addenda includes: Addendum A- Biography of William F. Beane;
Addendum B- Barbara Mackle Kidnapping Case (With illustrated story as told by Beane, a chonological timetable, a copy of the ransom note, the FBI Summary Report, and related newspaper artiles regarding the kidnapper’s parole and subsequent medical practice;
Addendum C- Samuel Bronfman II Kidnapping Case (Photo and newspaper clipping);
Addendum D- Jewelry Theft of Gems from the J.P. Morgan Hall of Gems American Museum of Natural History, New York City | Download PDF 1 | Download PDF 2 | Download Photo 2 |