News: Crime

The weekend of January 27, 1979, was a busy one for newspeople in New York. Former governor and former vice president Nelson Rockefeller had died the night before, under titillating circumstances. Now, late Saturday night, there was word that a hijacked Boeing 747 was on the ground at Kennedy Airport. A passemger claimed that she had a bomb and would blow up the airplane unless she were allowed to talk with Charlton Heston. After several hours, the woman was grabbed by police. Her "bomb" turned out to be a bottle of perfume, brand unknown. Meanwhile, newsfolk waited. And waited. Olympus OM-1 with Rollei strobe, 35mm Zuiko, Tri-X

While the woman claiming to have a bomb and demding to see Charlton Heston was just a nutjob, relatives of passengers didn't know this and grew worried. So they were glad to see the passengers freed. Olympus OM-1, 35mm Zuiko, Tri-X

Among the passengers aboard the Los Angeles-New York flight was actor Sam Jaffe, who as fate would have it had appeared with Charlton Heston in "Ben Hur." But the hijacker would settle for nothing less than Heston himself. Olympus OM-1 with Rollei strobe, 35mm Zuiko, Tri-X

As police talked with the crazed hijacker at the back of the jumbo jet, actor and musician Theo Bikel played his guitar at the front of the plane, keeping his fellow passengers calm, he said following the capture of the hijacker. Olympus OM-1 with Rollei strobe, 35mm Zuiko, Tri-X

James McAvoy, recently released from prison, was accused of reliving a Greenburgh, New York, bank of some money at gunpoint. He told reporters he didn't care because he was dying anyway. Olympus OM-1 with Rollei strobe, 35mm Zuiko, Tri-X

When officers arrested James McAvoy for bank robbery, he had these items with him. Olympus OM-1 with Rollei strobe, 35mm Zuiko, Tri-X

A process server sent to evict a Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, apartment dweller received a slug through the door for his efforts. Police descended, not knowing what they were dealing with. Olympus OM-1, 200mm Zuiko, Tri-X

As the building was surrounded, officers prepared to go in and get the shooter. Olympus OM-1, 35mm Zuiko, Tri-X

Shots are fired, and officers dive to the ground. Olympus OM-1, 200mm Zuiko, Tri-X