Operation Jacknap: A True Story of Kidnapping, Extortion, Ransom, and Rescue

by Jack Teich

The incredible true story of one of America’s largest ransom cases—and the massive FBI and police manhunt to bring the radical captors to justice.

The New York Times described what happened to New York businessman Jack Teich as a “front page horror.”

Two hundred FBI agents and Nassau County police officers combined forces to form a dragnet, hunt for his kidnappers, and rescue him.

Teich lay handcuffed and chained to the walls of a closet in the Bronx with a medical bandage wrapped around his head to cover his eyes. His captors demanded that his wife, Janet, drop a bag with $750,000 (the equivalent of four million dollars in today’s currency) in a locker at Penn Station, making the Jack Teich ransom one of the highest in U.S. history at the time.

FBI and Nassau County police detectives spent over a year before finally uncovering the meticulously planned kidnapping ploy hatched by radical mastermind Richard Warren Williams. The FBI internally dubbed the Jack Teich kidnapping operation “Jacknap.”

The real-life crime drama that followed proved stranger than fiction, involving a tense across-the-country manhunt, a trailer in California stuffed with tens of thousands of ransom dollars hidden inside, a contentious jury trial that dominated NYC headlines for months; a guilty verdict that was overturned twenty-one years later on a controversial technicality; a retrial stymied by a mysterious fire that incinerated court records; and a civil verdict ruling that the kidnapper pay Jack Teich back the ransom money, plus interest.

Operation Jacknap tells the incredible true crime story that continues even now. Indeed, as of this writing, no one knows where the majority of the ransom money is located.

Inside, Teich also details his offer of a reward to anyone helping track down the still missing money and kidnappers.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Memoir, Crime, Audiobook

208 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2020

Reviews

[Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lawyer Donald Kane gives lawyers a very bad name. Amazing police/detective work.

[Catie Markesich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping read. I am just in awe of how the court can allow attorneys to act so disparagingly in courthouses. Thinking about the defense attorney here. The victim has already suffered so much. How is it legal to attack and be so acutely critical of things that the victim was forced to answer to the police right after experiencing such a trauma? Bring in a psychologist for f’s sake to take off that kind of a bs load.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The victim of a 1974 kidnapping writes about his experiences. There's a lot of pain in this relatively short (168 pages) account.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Teich, a Long Island businessman, husband and father, was kidnapped and held for 750,000 ransom. This is the true story, written by the victim, detailing the abduction, terror, abuse and antisemitic underpinnings of his excruciating ordeal. Police and FBI play important role in this heartfelt, poignant and well written autobiography. It’s a very quick and enjoyable read. The new novel Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, who knows MrTeich, was loosely based upon a fictional kidnapping similar to the one in this book. Four bright stars for a good read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was very interesting but I also had a personal connection. The family lived next door to my husband and my in-laws are mentioned in the book and were involved with giving Janet and the kids moral support. Very interesting to read something close to home

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of Long Island Compromise mentioned a personal connect to Jack Teich and using his story as a basis for her own. It almost feels like the exact same kidnapping story. Operation Jacknap gets into the nitty gritty details including the court case against the kidnapper.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent book! Such a scary story, exceptionally well told. I was metaphorically on the edge of my seat, breathless, wondering what would happen next. Highly recommended.
I listened to the Audible audiobook, great narration.

[Michele Desoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to marvel at Jack Teich's courage not only through the ordeal of his kidnapping, but also in writing this book. Without giving spoilers (obviously he survived the experience), Teich is such a strong man -- as is his wife, Janet. That their marriage not only survived but seems to have strengthened is a testament to the kind of people they are.

This is not a long book (less than 200 pages) but it is perfect in terms of length. He tells the story, describes the dedicated police work, explains how it affected him and his family, and that's pretty much it. Having recently read a "try crime" story that was repetitive and grating, I appreciate the frank style. The writing is also very good considering he is not a professional writer.

This is the book on which Long Island Compromise drew it's influence, so I'm looking forward to now reading that novel.

[Yibbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A heartbreakingly in-depth story of a family targeted by political radicals motived by greed and hatred to violently disrupt their lives for years. It's so frustrating that even years later they are still forced to deal with these people and those who defend them. For a look at how broken 'justice' is in this nation just look at this family.
There were a few "mild" curse words throughout the book.

[Grump · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda interesting. Read it because it was the inspiration for Long Island Compromise. It's less dramatic than what happens in that book. Dude gets taken at gunpoint and locked in a closet for a few days. The rest of the book is catching one of the kidnappers and taking him to court. Kidnapper has a real butthole of a lawyer. I guess the kidnappers were anti-semitic too.

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incredible true story of the kidnapping (Jacknapping) of Jack Teich in 1974, told by the victim.

The horrible experience Jack made law enforcement and the FBI fight to the end to bring justice to him.

After reading Long Island Compromise, I found that this story was its inspiration. I'd suggest reading the fictional account prior to this book.

[Delonna Oskouee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, WOW!!!

I'm amazed and in awe of Mr. & Mrs. Teich. It was absolutely an amazing and unputdownable true account of a very good, righteous family and the terrible, horrendous ordeal they endured at the hands of those awful men. I'm very happy for all of them, including all of the FBI, NCPD, and lawyers and policemen who so bravely served to convict the criminals.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading "Long Beach Compromise," I just had to read this true story, referenced by the novelist as the seed that inspired her story. The true account is frightening and the story is well told by the victim himself. It is a fascinating comparison to see how the novel differs from the truth, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about

[Ginny T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I'm still recovering after finishing this book a few days ago. What a story. That it's true is more amazing still. It's a testament to the strength and tenacity of love in the face of tremendous stress and worry. I hope the family was able to find peace and a normal life afterwards.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the true story that Long Island Compromise was based on. I read it in one day. It was interesting to compare the truth vs the fictional stories. Brave brave family. Great reads both .

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came to this book after reading Long Island Compromise. Harrowing story. The courtroom stuff was just as horrible as the kidnapping itself. It’s horrible what this family went through. They are all very strong people. Thank you Mr. Teich for sharing your story.

[Jane Golub · Rating 5 out of 5]

harrowing tale. hard to put down

Well written account of a horrible crime, and the bravery, risk, tenacity and intelligence that prevailed. Shed very positive light on law enforcement, FBI and justice system.

[Rambo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Great context to the novel Long Island Compromise.
And very honest retelling from Jack of his experience. The audiobook was well narrated and very engaging. A lot to keep up with in a short span.

[Cj · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story pretty well written. A bit redundant at times but brief. Mr. Teich delves into the personal and legal details of events and their aftermath.

[Julie Oatway]

I listened to the audiobook. A good non fiction, about a man who dealt with trauma.

[Matt Prevedel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heard about this book from a New York Times podcast podcast and it sounded interesting, so I read it. Enjoyed reading it. Not great but very readable.

[Lynn Somerstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

honest and gripping

This true story of kidnapping and trauma and resulting PTSD is also the story of a kind man and his family.

[Tamar Toister · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out really well, very good narration of the kidnapping and aftermath.
It got really sloppy when they got to the trials. Then it got tedious. Then it got painful.

[Katie Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward, personal account of his kidnapping for ransom experience. Well-edited.

[Arun Vachher]

Came across this book thru the NYT Daily podcast.

An interesting read into a true crime. And the after-effects!!!

[Jessica Timmreck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this after reading Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, which is loosely based on the kidnapping of Jack Teich.

[Dina Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

True account of the kidnapping that inspired Long Island compromise. Great follow up.

[Ks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Such an interesting perspective and incredible story