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Storming Las Vegas: How a Cuban-Born, Soviet-Trained Commando Took Down the Strip to the Tune of Five World-Class Hotels, Three Armored Cars, and Millions of Dollars
On September 20, 1998, Jose Vigoa, a child of Fidel Castro’s revolution, launched what would be the most audacious and ruthless series of high-profile casino and armored car robberies that Las Vegas had ever seen. In a brazen sixteen-month reign of terror, he and his crew would hit the crème de la crème of Vegas hotels: the MGM, the Desert Inn, the New York—New York, the Mandalay Bay, and the Bellagio. The robberies were well planned and executed, and the police–“the stupids,” as Vigoa contemptuously referred to them–were all but helpless to stop them. But Lt. John Alamshaw, the twenty-three-year veteran in charge of robbery detectives, was not giving up so easily. For him, Vigoa’s rampage was a personal affront. And he would do whatever it took, even risk his badge, to bring Vigoa down.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 25, 2011
A conventional review of John Huddy’s book would no doubt stay within the acceptable bounds of debate/discourse that are common to the Western world. From the beginning the stereotypes and assumptions begin. Our protagonist is immediately branded (even on the cover) as a Cuban-born Marxist and a Soviet-trained mercenary. Obviously this is to strike fear, terror and disdain into the heart of the Western reader, along with the idea that we are dealing with a very evil person.
Jose Vigoa is a criminal unlike any that Las Vegas has seen before. This is true at least of the small time criminals. Vegas always has and always will be about large scale crime that is either above the law or within the boundaries of the law. These large-scale criminals of Vegas take the form of casinos, of nightclubs and of 24 hour liquor service establishments. The powers of Las Vegas also are capable of providing the technically illegal, such as room-service prostitution and the purest drugs known to man. All of this I personally have witnessed and in many cases experienced first hand during my decade in this self and soul-destructive city.
Make no mistake; I do not defend the actions of men like Vigoa. However, I condemn to a greater degree the establishments with which he attacked for the amount of lives that they have destroyed financially, morally and far too many times physically. It was stated that Vigoa believed justice to be manipulated by the powerful. It was stated that he believed that “politics-twisted, corrupt, and perverse politics-ruled all.” During his 2 year crime spree he didn’t believe that he was attacking anyone who didn’t deserve it. He believed (despite the fact that he committed murder), that he was merely taking the money from the Capitalist pigs that wouldn’t miss it anyway. Outside of his twisted mental state on the taking of human life, there is a certain “Robin Hood” aspect to his actions.
As to the background of Vigoa, he WAS a military trained mercenary who ended up fighting for the Russians during their time in Afghanistan in the 80’s. For those not up on history, that entire affair had a remarkable similarity to the now 8 year old U.S. occupation of the same country. The law enforcement agencies who tracked Vigoa on this murderous spree comprised former military men who knew from the start that they were dealing with a highly trained professional. This fact alone is an indictment against war, private contractors and Special Forces highly trained for assassinations. If Vigoa can use these skills in civilian robbery incidents, what kind of damage is being done to civilians by over-zealous soldiers in foreign countries who have been trained with these same skills?
The book further plays on the fear-mongering common in our current Western world. It does so by making a point to show law enforcement questioning whether the robberies initially had any ties to “Arabs” or “Muslim/Islamic” extremists. This is all typical U.S. hubris and ignorance.
Perhaps the brainwashing of American Capitalistic society is no more evident than in a book such as this. The prosecution is ecstatic. Once again, the streets of Las Vegas are “safe”. No worries now that they know they have it within their power to capture criminals the caliber of Vigoa. “We have protected the good citizens of Nevada from this man”. However, the giant, excessive, drug-infested, alcoholic, family-destroying, immoral gambling mecca of 2 million people supporting the vices of the world still stands. In the final analysis this is what led to my ultimate political radicalization. I never had a complete sense of satisfaction in Las Vegas. Were there good times? Of course there were. The city wouldn’t attract with no promise of pleasure. However the emptiness and destruction that Las Vegas will do to an individual is intense and extremely dangerous if you allow it. I personally had to move away to preserve my own integrity and to find myself once again. To people like Vigoa, the city carried the promise of riches and taking down the mighty stronghold of Capitalism. His actions were certainly immoral, but in the end the city is an even mightier and more powerful criminal backed by the largest crime syndicates in the world, those located on Wall Street.
Jose Vigoa is a criminal unlike any that Las Vegas has seen before. This is true at least of the small time criminals. Vegas always has and always will be about large scale crime that is either above the law or within the boundaries of the law. These large-scale criminals of Vegas take the form of casinos, of nightclubs and of 24 hour liquor service establishments. The powers of Las Vegas also are capable of providing the technically illegal, such as room-service prostitution and the purest drugs known to man. All of this I personally have witnessed and in many cases experienced first hand during my decade in this self and soul-destructive city.
Make no mistake; I do not defend the actions of men like Vigoa. However, I condemn to a greater degree the establishments with which he attacked for the amount of lives that they have destroyed financially, morally and far too many times physically. It was stated that Vigoa believed justice to be manipulated by the powerful. It was stated that he believed that “politics-twisted, corrupt, and perverse politics-ruled all.” During his 2 year crime spree he didn’t believe that he was attacking anyone who didn’t deserve it. He believed (despite the fact that he committed murder), that he was merely taking the money from the Capitalist pigs that wouldn’t miss it anyway. Outside of his twisted mental state on the taking of human life, there is a certain “Robin Hood” aspect to his actions.
As to the background of Vigoa, he WAS a military trained mercenary who ended up fighting for the Russians during their time in Afghanistan in the 80’s. For those not up on history, that entire affair had a remarkable similarity to the now 8 year old U.S. occupation of the same country. The law enforcement agencies who tracked Vigoa on this murderous spree comprised former military men who knew from the start that they were dealing with a highly trained professional. This fact alone is an indictment against war, private contractors and Special Forces highly trained for assassinations. If Vigoa can use these skills in civilian robbery incidents, what kind of damage is being done to civilians by over-zealous soldiers in foreign countries who have been trained with these same skills?
The book further plays on the fear-mongering common in our current Western world. It does so by making a point to show law enforcement questioning whether the robberies initially had any ties to “Arabs” or “Muslim/Islamic” extremists. This is all typical U.S. hubris and ignorance.
Perhaps the brainwashing of American Capitalistic society is no more evident than in a book such as this. The prosecution is ecstatic. Once again, the streets of Las Vegas are “safe”. No worries now that they know they have it within their power to capture criminals the caliber of Vigoa. “We have protected the good citizens of Nevada from this man”. However, the giant, excessive, drug-infested, alcoholic, family-destroying, immoral gambling mecca of 2 million people supporting the vices of the world still stands. In the final analysis this is what led to my ultimate political radicalization. I never had a complete sense of satisfaction in Las Vegas. Were there good times? Of course there were. The city wouldn’t attract with no promise of pleasure. However the emptiness and destruction that Las Vegas will do to an individual is intense and extremely dangerous if you allow it. I personally had to move away to preserve my own integrity and to find myself once again. To people like Vigoa, the city carried the promise of riches and taking down the mighty stronghold of Capitalism. His actions were certainly immoral, but in the end the city is an even mightier and more powerful criminal backed by the largest crime syndicates in the world, those located on Wall Street.
July 10, 2009
What a story...one of my top picks from the non-fiction genre. Action, adventure, brutality, justice. The title tells its premise. Amazing read.
May 21, 2017
The story was interesting, but there were two aspects of the writing that downgraded the rating:
The background biography of the main character was interesting but came too early in the story. While the entire book was chronological it took to long too get to other than the introductory description of the crimes. Given that the title is Storming Las Vegas and the book is about the crimes such delay in getting to the main subject was distracting.
The other deficiency was the inclusion of things from various reports and legal documents that were synopsized; the actual quotes could have been deleted. I had the impression they were included to bulk up the book, but it was over 360 pages.
It was a well written recounting, with substantial research, even interviews with the main character. It read like a good crime story should read, with much attention to detail and the evidence.
It is interesting, disturbing, and sad tale.
A good read if you like reading about criminal undertakings.
The background biography of the main character was interesting but came too early in the story. While the entire book was chronological it took to long too get to other than the introductory description of the crimes. Given that the title is Storming Las Vegas and the book is about the crimes such delay in getting to the main subject was distracting.
The other deficiency was the inclusion of things from various reports and legal documents that were synopsized; the actual quotes could have been deleted. I had the impression they were included to bulk up the book, but it was over 360 pages.
It was a well written recounting, with substantial research, even interviews with the main character. It read like a good crime story should read, with much attention to detail and the evidence.
It is interesting, disturbing, and sad tale.
A good read if you like reading about criminal undertakings.
August 23, 2010
This is the story of the real life Tony Montana. I read a lot of true crime and I have never encountered another story that caused me to go back and re-read entire sections because the story was so complex and unbelievable. People who are interested in true crime should definitely read this book.
September 21, 2008
This book is a great book to read at night. You read a page or two and fall to sleep. It is that bad.
John Huddy should have stuck with smaller print media and broadcasts because his first book is a loser. In an attempt to glorify a common murderer, thief and drug dealer, he glorifies a Cuban refugee with unsubstantiated claims of his being a "Soviet-Trained Commando". This "highly trained" commando finds himself in prison for the rest of his life by partying all night and having a couple of his buddies jump over the counter at the Cashier's Cage at the Bellagio while he mugs at the security cameras. Smart.
Relying almost entirely on the Commando's version of the "facts" Huddy makes the obvious mistake of sleeping with the elephants when he should be writing about the circus.
From its sensationalist and misleading title through a boring writing style to its last chapter of rationalizations, this book should be avoided at all costs.
John Huddy should have stuck with smaller print media and broadcasts because his first book is a loser. In an attempt to glorify a common murderer, thief and drug dealer, he glorifies a Cuban refugee with unsubstantiated claims of his being a "Soviet-Trained Commando". This "highly trained" commando finds himself in prison for the rest of his life by partying all night and having a couple of his buddies jump over the counter at the Cashier's Cage at the Bellagio while he mugs at the security cameras. Smart.
Relying almost entirely on the Commando's version of the "facts" Huddy makes the obvious mistake of sleeping with the elephants when he should be writing about the circus.
From its sensationalist and misleading title through a boring writing style to its last chapter of rationalizations, this book should be avoided at all costs.
August 31, 2014
Bombastic and bloated with unnecessary detail, this account of master criminal Jose Vigoa sometimes sounds like it could have been written the bad guy himself. A few pages are devoted to his victims, but mostly it reads like a Batman comic starring the Joker. Despite the plethora of details we never really get to know the enigma that is Vigoa, though we do get to know the number and caliber of his many firearms, and we get to hear him boasting from beginning to end. We also learn all about LVMPD detective John Alamshaw's high school career, how he was propositioned by a hooker upon arriving in Las Vegas, and numerous other lurid but pointless facts. The end result is an overgrown tabloid column, which wouldn't be so awful if it didn't leave the impression that Vigoa played the author almost as well as he played the authorities.
April 13, 2009
A pretty good true crime read.
The early history of the Mariel boat lift and the Cuban military operations in Angola are interesting and the descriptions are very vivid.
The descriptions of the casino systems and security are also interesting.
In some ways the book is helped by the author's interviews with the gang leader who is now in prison, but this is all a major drawback that many readers may find annoying as the gang leader is prone to bragging and rationalization (the multiple deaths of guards killed he blames on them --"It was there own fault, all I wanted was to take the money, if they had just given me the money they would still be alive."
The early history of the Mariel boat lift and the Cuban military operations in Angola are interesting and the descriptions are very vivid.
The descriptions of the casino systems and security are also interesting.
In some ways the book is helped by the author's interviews with the gang leader who is now in prison, but this is all a major drawback that many readers may find annoying as the gang leader is prone to bragging and rationalization (the multiple deaths of guards killed he blames on them --"It was there own fault, all I wanted was to take the money, if they had just given me the money they would still be alive."
October 3, 2012
I had never heard of these high jacks of armored cars & Casino roberies. What an interesting crime spree Vigoa had. It is amazing that more people didn't get killed during the process. It floored me how easily Vigoa and his crew were able to steal so mch money from the casinos. The most abrazing robery for sure was the one at the Bellagio. I never before had thought about how dangerous working for Brinks could be. Bless the men and women who risk their lives every day by transporting other people's money. The author did an excellent job detailing the story from start to finish and it is a book I would highly recommend!
April 28, 2008
This was a very interesting book. It is a non-fiction story of a Cuban immigrant who was a trained Soviet Spetnatz soldier. He couldn't find good work in the US so resorted first to drugs and then did time in prison, was released and then went on a crime spree the likes of which have never been seen before or after in Las Vegas. Some bad language here and there, but a very interesting read.
December 13, 2008
It's an amazing non-fiction story that seems too extraordinary to be real. Action mixed with a bit of humor, irony and mystery. Some parts really get you excited and you want to quickly read what's happening next. I can see a movie coming out of this book.
October 4, 2009
An interesting story that's drug out with "filler" in order to meet a page quota. This is like reading a huge newspaper article at times. This could have been a better book if undertaken by a better writer.
If you like crime books, then do check this out but you will do plenty of skimming.
If you like crime books, then do check this out but you will do plenty of skimming.
February 5, 2010
Its amazing the things that happen in real life that you don't hear about. As a person that travels to Las Vegas frequently, I find it amazing that these heists actually happened. I couldn't put this book down...read it in about 3 days
April 14, 2009
I thought this would be much more engaging and exciting, but was very bored quickly. Two stars because I learned some history about Cuba's history that I didn't know before.
July 27, 2010
Good book, especially if you're into "true crime" stuff. Author does a great job of putting together all the information and going into detail about the people involved. Would make a great movie.
April 7, 2011
An excellent story, it's very involved, action packed, and the backing up that it may all be legit is very intriguing. Highly recommended.
April 30, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION! BIG-TIME CRIME SPREE IN MODERN LAS VEGAS!”
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“IN MY WORLD, YOU ARE EITHER THE HUNTER OR THE PREY, AND I AM THE HUNTER. VEGAS WAS MY PREY. I TELL MY CREW: VEGAS MAKES IT, VIGOA TAKES IT!”
** JOSE VIGOA **
The first thing for potential readers to comprehend is that this entire story is absolutely true! This is not some phony, unbelievable, implausible, mockery of a Vegas caper like the “OCEANS ELEVEN” (THE REMAKE) “OCEANS TWELVE” AND “OCEANS THIRTEEN” Hollywood movies. For a period of TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS AND NINE DAYS, STARTING ON MAY 28, 1998 a “storming” of Las Vegas occurred when SIX (and nearly seven) world-class hotels were “hit”! The Desert Inn was involved in an attempted robbery which failed as it escalated into a bloody firefight. The other casinos, armored car companies, and businesses suffered losses exceeding three-million-dollars. This entire rampage was accomplished by a crew of merely three and possibly four men led by the violent and cunning Cuban born, former Russian/Cuban special force soldier Jose Vigoa.
This improbable string of successful robberies in the absolute heart of the world renowned Las Vegas, Sin City, is even harder to grasp when you take into account that the hotels employ thousands of security personnel in addition to the Metropolitan Sheriffs and police. The hotels also utilize thousands upon thousands of cameras. Jose planned and approached each heist like a military operation. Some of the “interesting” things he found out is that the new modern non-mafia controlled hotels had become in his own words: “A SOFT TARGET.” Armored car guards cannot brandish their weapons on casino property no matter how much money they’re transporting, according to hotel policy. “Security employees, long the backbone of Vegas protection, were disarmed and ordered not to engage criminals with deadly force on hotel property, much less provide backroom retaliation.” The newer hotels had open cashier cages without bars or even bulletproof glass. The city was in the midst of runaway growth, and as a result, the police department was seriously undermanned. All the while Jose researched every variable imaginable during his pre-robbery scrutiny. He would follow armored cars on their routes for months at a time. He rightly believed that faulty “getaway” plans is what hindered many would-be casino robbers. To prevent this problem, during two nighttime raids the “audacious gang” stole seventeen vehicles from a Thrifty Car Rental lot. The stolen cars were then dispersed in crucial spots of each escape route, so they could quickly change cars so the “APB’s” would have law enforcement searching for the wrong cars. This scheme worked so well that after a couple of heists, the cops and FBI lost the trail so quick that Jose would go back to the crime scene and laugh at the investigation that was just started at the most recently robbed hotel.
How did Jose’s well planned heists turn out? Well, let’s use the MGM Grand Hotel as an example. “The MGM, at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue, is not only the grandest complex in Las Vegas with its 170,000 square foot casino, 6.6 acre pool complex, four thirty-story towers, nine signature restaurants, and 5,044 guest rooms. It is also the biggest hotel in the world. Jose and his boys stole more than $1.5 million in currency and checks from the main cashier’s cage in TWENTY-EIGHT-SECONDS!! On April 22, 2000 shortly before dawn, Jose sat by the slot machines in the NEW YORK-NEW YORK HOTEL AND CASINO and waited for the hotels two armed guards to collect money from the gaming tables. He then jumped out of his seat in front of a slot machine and pulled his .357 magnum chrome revolver out, and said, “Don’t move to one, and told the other one to “Get out of here!”. “I guess the guards knew who I was. They froze.” One of his crew appeared from the other side with his gun drawn, picked up the smaller cart, and placed it on top of the main dolly. Then they simply pushed the cart through the casino and out the door.
Think this sounds like fiction? Well, the introduction states that the prosecuting attorneys cooperated with the author, and Jose from prison cooperated fully and even signed a release, wrote detailed reports, with color sketches and blue prints. Vigoa also permitted the author to interview his former wife and three daughters, and authorized the author, without restrictions, to view his legal records. This is a meticulously researched book. What also enhances this whirlwind trip through the greatest crime spree in modern times are hospital pictures of armored car drivers, pictures of shot up armored cars, pictures of arrests, hand drawn robbery plans by the criminal himself. *NOTE* It’s almost humorous to see in the lower corner of some of the exhibits: “COURTESY JOSE VIGOA.” You will not be able to put this book down and you will be shaking your head from side to side as the share enormity of these crimes hit you. I don’t think anyone would believe it as a movie.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“IN MY WORLD, YOU ARE EITHER THE HUNTER OR THE PREY, AND I AM THE HUNTER. VEGAS WAS MY PREY. I TELL MY CREW: VEGAS MAKES IT, VIGOA TAKES IT!”
** JOSE VIGOA **
The first thing for potential readers to comprehend is that this entire story is absolutely true! This is not some phony, unbelievable, implausible, mockery of a Vegas caper like the “OCEANS ELEVEN” (THE REMAKE) “OCEANS TWELVE” AND “OCEANS THIRTEEN” Hollywood movies. For a period of TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS AND NINE DAYS, STARTING ON MAY 28, 1998 a “storming” of Las Vegas occurred when SIX (and nearly seven) world-class hotels were “hit”! The Desert Inn was involved in an attempted robbery which failed as it escalated into a bloody firefight. The other casinos, armored car companies, and businesses suffered losses exceeding three-million-dollars. This entire rampage was accomplished by a crew of merely three and possibly four men led by the violent and cunning Cuban born, former Russian/Cuban special force soldier Jose Vigoa.
This improbable string of successful robberies in the absolute heart of the world renowned Las Vegas, Sin City, is even harder to grasp when you take into account that the hotels employ thousands of security personnel in addition to the Metropolitan Sheriffs and police. The hotels also utilize thousands upon thousands of cameras. Jose planned and approached each heist like a military operation. Some of the “interesting” things he found out is that the new modern non-mafia controlled hotels had become in his own words: “A SOFT TARGET.” Armored car guards cannot brandish their weapons on casino property no matter how much money they’re transporting, according to hotel policy. “Security employees, long the backbone of Vegas protection, were disarmed and ordered not to engage criminals with deadly force on hotel property, much less provide backroom retaliation.” The newer hotels had open cashier cages without bars or even bulletproof glass. The city was in the midst of runaway growth, and as a result, the police department was seriously undermanned. All the while Jose researched every variable imaginable during his pre-robbery scrutiny. He would follow armored cars on their routes for months at a time. He rightly believed that faulty “getaway” plans is what hindered many would-be casino robbers. To prevent this problem, during two nighttime raids the “audacious gang” stole seventeen vehicles from a Thrifty Car Rental lot. The stolen cars were then dispersed in crucial spots of each escape route, so they could quickly change cars so the “APB’s” would have law enforcement searching for the wrong cars. This scheme worked so well that after a couple of heists, the cops and FBI lost the trail so quick that Jose would go back to the crime scene and laugh at the investigation that was just started at the most recently robbed hotel.
How did Jose’s well planned heists turn out? Well, let’s use the MGM Grand Hotel as an example. “The MGM, at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue, is not only the grandest complex in Las Vegas with its 170,000 square foot casino, 6.6 acre pool complex, four thirty-story towers, nine signature restaurants, and 5,044 guest rooms. It is also the biggest hotel in the world. Jose and his boys stole more than $1.5 million in currency and checks from the main cashier’s cage in TWENTY-EIGHT-SECONDS!! On April 22, 2000 shortly before dawn, Jose sat by the slot machines in the NEW YORK-NEW YORK HOTEL AND CASINO and waited for the hotels two armed guards to collect money from the gaming tables. He then jumped out of his seat in front of a slot machine and pulled his .357 magnum chrome revolver out, and said, “Don’t move to one, and told the other one to “Get out of here!”. “I guess the guards knew who I was. They froze.” One of his crew appeared from the other side with his gun drawn, picked up the smaller cart, and placed it on top of the main dolly. Then they simply pushed the cart through the casino and out the door.
Think this sounds like fiction? Well, the introduction states that the prosecuting attorneys cooperated with the author, and Jose from prison cooperated fully and even signed a release, wrote detailed reports, with color sketches and blue prints. Vigoa also permitted the author to interview his former wife and three daughters, and authorized the author, without restrictions, to view his legal records. This is a meticulously researched book. What also enhances this whirlwind trip through the greatest crime spree in modern times are hospital pictures of armored car drivers, pictures of shot up armored cars, pictures of arrests, hand drawn robbery plans by the criminal himself. *NOTE* It’s almost humorous to see in the lower corner of some of the exhibits: “COURTESY JOSE VIGOA.” You will not be able to put this book down and you will be shaking your head from side to side as the share enormity of these crimes hit you. I don’t think anyone would believe it as a movie.
March 26, 2021
Coming out of the dark side of the Cold War, this book depicts Jose Vigoa in what the title suggests: storming Las Vegas. Motivated by machismo and a drive for American women, after serving in war in Africa, Jose seeks out coming to the United States. For a man coming from so much violence and trauma, it's unsurprising his life came to crime. And up against him comes a sturdy conservative cop, a transplant from Chicago. It's a classic true crime tale.
There is a conservative tone to the book, which other reviewers have noted. It's present in descriptions of communist regimes, of the counterculture, and of law enforcement. In some ways, it feels like a pulp crime novel of another time, with a more biographical tone. Rough cops, tough criminals, and a thin line between both: it feels as much like fiction as true crime.
There are various moments when the book sympathizes heavily with law enforcement in situations where perhaps they should not. Civil asset forfeiture of the most grey area variety is discussed as intelligent. In describing the main officer's police report of nearly shooting an entirely angry crowd, he is described by the author in almost heroic terms.
This is one of those true crime stories you've probably never heard. You might be surprised there's never been a film. If you like heist films, you may appreciate this book, but it's probably longer than it needs to be and it gets repetitive. Not my favorite, but for a specific audience, one might appreciate it.
There is a conservative tone to the book, which other reviewers have noted. It's present in descriptions of communist regimes, of the counterculture, and of law enforcement. In some ways, it feels like a pulp crime novel of another time, with a more biographical tone. Rough cops, tough criminals, and a thin line between both: it feels as much like fiction as true crime.
There are various moments when the book sympathizes heavily with law enforcement in situations where perhaps they should not. Civil asset forfeiture of the most grey area variety is discussed as intelligent. In describing the main officer's police report of nearly shooting an entirely angry crowd, he is described by the author in almost heroic terms.
This is one of those true crime stories you've probably never heard. You might be surprised there's never been a film. If you like heist films, you may appreciate this book, but it's probably longer than it needs to be and it gets repetitive. Not my favorite, but for a specific audience, one might appreciate it.
October 4, 2023
I listened to the audiobook and it’s great. I had no idea this had happened in Las Vegas and not long after I moved to Utah and made my first trip to Las Vegas.
The only reason I give the book 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because of the reporting at the end of the plans for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons found in Vigoa’s cell.
This is a great book that is riveting and was told in different time order which made it more interesting.
I highly recommend this book.
The only reason I give the book 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because of the reporting at the end of the plans for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons found in Vigoa’s cell.
This is a great book that is riveting and was told in different time order which made it more interesting.
I highly recommend this book.
July 19, 2017
Decent book, 2.5 stars. A little long. Had to put it down for a while then return to it to get through it. Interesting back story on Cuba and it's interaction with the Soviets. Crazy, brazen criminals trying to take down vegas casinos.
November 28, 2017
Very surprising. I expected just a story on some Las Vegas robberies but ended up with history on the Soviets in Cuba, the Soviets in Afghanistan, the Mariel Boatlift when thousands of Cubans came to America, Cuban American relations and much much more.
January 13, 2018
Stormy Las Vegas is a compelling read about a real-life mega criminal who planned fairly audacious robberies of major Vegas casinos. I'd never heard of Vigoa before, but he's certainly led an interesting life. Huddy does a nice job of keeping the action moving.
August 6, 2012
This book isn't an easy read but it's gripping to the point of being addictive, it's not cliche ridden, it's an original, true crime story and it's a very "visual" book - reading it I had a movie running in my mind. It's profoundly disturbing and shows how easily everything we take for granted can tumble and be turned upside down. How values and morals can be corrupted, if the luxury of having morals is nothing we should take for granted but be grateful for living in a society where we can afford them.
First I hated the character of the "anti-hero" (I wouldn't call him a villain as he's not an evil character per se) but the more it was revealed about him, the more you start to understand what drives and motivates him. The need to survive turned him into a criminal, a brilliant mind made him a very effective criminal, born into a middle class family and with the right education, you could easily picture him as a very efficient manager or a politician. It's not that he doesn't have a moral compass, his moral compass is simply off and doesn't point North, due to what he went through in Cuba and Afghanistan.
Vigoa is a very multi-layered character with a lot of different facets to him, he's not a killer, he doesn't want to kill but that won't stop him from killing if somebody stands in his way. He's an ex soldier who was programmed to have tunnel vision - he's got a goal and that's what counts. In the end a flaw in that programming is what brings him down.
What struck me when reading the book is how similar the hero and the anti-hero are, they both have their own code of honour they follow rigorously, and if one could change Vigoa's past, he actually might be a dutiful detective. The way it is, he's more or less a victim of the cold war, the Soviets trained him to be a dangerous weapon, war taught him that moral scruples get you killed, getting out of Cuba to Florida reinforced his feelings that survival comes with a price.
When reading the book, you're torn between wanting him to get caught because he is a danger to our society, and part of you hoping that he gets away and finds peace - against the odds.
I would enjoy reading a prequel about his youth.
First I hated the character of the "anti-hero" (I wouldn't call him a villain as he's not an evil character per se) but the more it was revealed about him, the more you start to understand what drives and motivates him. The need to survive turned him into a criminal, a brilliant mind made him a very effective criminal, born into a middle class family and with the right education, you could easily picture him as a very efficient manager or a politician. It's not that he doesn't have a moral compass, his moral compass is simply off and doesn't point North, due to what he went through in Cuba and Afghanistan.
Vigoa is a very multi-layered character with a lot of different facets to him, he's not a killer, he doesn't want to kill but that won't stop him from killing if somebody stands in his way. He's an ex soldier who was programmed to have tunnel vision - he's got a goal and that's what counts. In the end a flaw in that programming is what brings him down.
What struck me when reading the book is how similar the hero and the anti-hero are, they both have their own code of honour they follow rigorously, and if one could change Vigoa's past, he actually might be a dutiful detective. The way it is, he's more or less a victim of the cold war, the Soviets trained him to be a dangerous weapon, war taught him that moral scruples get you killed, getting out of Cuba to Florida reinforced his feelings that survival comes with a price.
When reading the book, you're torn between wanting him to get caught because he is a danger to our society, and part of you hoping that he gets away and finds peace - against the odds.
I would enjoy reading a prequel about his youth.
January 31, 2015
A robbery gang uses covert military-style tactics to steal millions from the Vegas Casinos and the case itself is compelling, even if the book gets a little dense at times. These true events are like the plot of a Michael Mann movie. The brutal leader behind these robberies, Jose Vigoa, is a larger than life figure, with unrelenting mettle. A fascinating person. But the author extends so much effort to provide context that the book drags in spots, getting caught up in things that don't matter, like the lives of the police detectives and FBI agents investigating the case. He does his best to make them look good but the simple truth is that they dropped the ball. A misspelled name on a investigation flow chart allowed the gang to remain at large for over two years. It's hard not to see them as idiots, even though Huddy bends over backwards to be generous. He wants them to be boy scouts even though they're not. When we read between the lines, you can see that jurisdictional in-fighting allowed the gang to continue their spree -- the bits that try and exhaustively side-step this aren't just boring, they read as disingenuous as well. The author's writing style is thorough to the point of exhaustion but then he interjects bits of hyperbole to gin up the drama and suspense. I didn't dislike this book -- not at all -- the coverage of the robberies themselves is page-turning. But I do believe the book could have been 100 pages shorter without losing anything substantive. The author circles around the same events, repeats himself, and tries to hard to put us in a time and place. The end result is a good read, but not a great one.
December 28, 2011
3.5 stars would be better. Huddy describes Vigoa's life from the very beginning, his childhood in Cuba, migration to Russia and experience in Russian combat, return to Cuba and eventual flight to the USA.
There Vigoa works his way up to the top of the drug hierarchy before his eventful fall, imprisonment and rebirth as commando bank robber extraordinaire.
The first 2/3 of the book are outstanding, a mix of Scarface (surely Vigoa's preferred doppleganger) and Heat. Think of it as Law and Order with a much more exciting first half.
Once Vigoa is captured, Huddy describes how the prosecution builds their case. The reading is drier, but that's true crime for you, and it's worth finding out what happened.
Huddy doesn't shy away or sugarcoat when talking about just how good and smart Vigoa was during his robberies. That's a plus in my book, and he still gives the necessary deference to the victims.
There Vigoa works his way up to the top of the drug hierarchy before his eventful fall, imprisonment and rebirth as commando bank robber extraordinaire.
The first 2/3 of the book are outstanding, a mix of Scarface (surely Vigoa's preferred doppleganger) and Heat. Think of it as Law and Order with a much more exciting first half.
Once Vigoa is captured, Huddy describes how the prosecution builds their case. The reading is drier, but that's true crime for you, and it's worth finding out what happened.
Huddy doesn't shy away or sugarcoat when talking about just how good and smart Vigoa was during his robberies. That's a plus in my book, and he still gives the necessary deference to the victims.
May 11, 2012
"Storming Las Vegas" recounts one of the great - but largely unknown - crime sprees of the new millenium, following Cuban-born Jose Vigoa and his gang as they not only rob some of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas, but do so in the most brutal and brazen fashion. Written like a screenplay, the book is fast-paced and seemingly tailor-made for a film adaption.
On the downside, although the portrayals of the people involved may well indeed be completely accurate, they come across as somewhat stereotypical - from the "real life Tony Montana" of Vigoa, to the renegade-but-effective lead detective, John Alamshaw, to the young armored truck guard with dreams of the Old West.
Nonetheless, this is a worthwhile read, as it sheds light on a major case most people have never heard about - the leaders of Las Vegas not eager to let it be known their city wasn't completely safe - and does so in entertaining fashion.
On the downside, although the portrayals of the people involved may well indeed be completely accurate, they come across as somewhat stereotypical - from the "real life Tony Montana" of Vigoa, to the renegade-but-effective lead detective, John Alamshaw, to the young armored truck guard with dreams of the Old West.
Nonetheless, this is a worthwhile read, as it sheds light on a major case most people have never heard about - the leaders of Las Vegas not eager to let it be known their city wasn't completely safe - and does so in entertaining fashion.
January 27, 2016
The 'star' criminal of this book - Jose - I met and spent some time with his daughter a few years ago, which is why I wanted to read this. Obviously I learned a lot about what her life had been like, I had to keep reminding myself as I read that this was her dad, because everything that happened was so insane.
The story of his life, not just in Las Vegas, is crazy, really. I was maybe most fascinated by the story of the Mariel boat lift, because I knew next to nothing about that. Overall I did enjoy the book. The author clearly did his research but it seemed like he felt the need to include every single thing he learned in to the book. It got tedious and made the story drag.
The story of his life, not just in Las Vegas, is crazy, really. I was maybe most fascinated by the story of the Mariel boat lift, because I knew next to nothing about that. Overall I did enjoy the book. The author clearly did his research but it seemed like he felt the need to include every single thing he learned in to the book. It got tedious and made the story drag.
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July 29, 2011It was a good story, and well written. I purposefully didn't look at what the history of the story was, to be surprised of whether he got away or not. Facinating the criminal mind, how he saw shooting guards and cops as "defending himself" b/c he just wanted the money, THEY were the ones to shoot first. You almost can't believe that it actually is the logic. But a great view of pretty weird a time in Vegas.
December 1, 2012
Really well written account of Jose Vigoa's crime spree. Documentaries like this sometimes tend to drone on with pointless details because authors don't have good access to the actual people involved. Not in this case. Huddy's account of Vigoa's story reads like a made for Hollywood script. You get relevant background on all of the key characters and detailed accounts of what Vigoa and co-conspirators were thinking. Really good read.
February 13, 2009
Hmm. I found the main character fascinating. This is a true account of a supercriminal raised in Cuba, trained to fight in Russia and Afghanistan, comes to the US on the Mariel boat exodus in a hurricane, develops a powerful cocaine operation in Las Vegas, goes to prison, gets out and starts robbing casinos and armored trucks commando style. Quite a story! The writing was dull though. Too bad.
October 14, 2012
this is account of 3 Commandos events in Afghanistan over the course of a few months fighting the Taliban.
What these guys had to endure was pretty horrific, from relentless bombing, mortars IEDs and persistent small arms fire, or as they call it Afgan bees.
In my opinion they all deserve a medal, but the outstanding soldiers for receive medals for their heroism.
What these guys had to endure was pretty horrific, from relentless bombing, mortars IEDs and persistent small arms fire, or as they call it Afgan bees.
In my opinion they all deserve a medal, but the outstanding soldiers for receive medals for their heroism.
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