Suspect in Saugus 1989 Mafia slay bid to be arraigned today

Item Staff ReportBOSTON – A fugitive who was wanted in connection with the attempted gangland hit on a Boston Mafia figure outside a Saugus pancake house in 1989 will be arraigned in U.S. District Court in Worcester today at 11 a.m., according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office in BostonEnrico Ponzo, 42, had been on the run for nearly two decades and was wanted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit murder, RICO, firearms and other violations in Massachusetts. He was captured in Idaho on February 7 by the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. He was recently rendited back to Massachusetts by the U.S. Marshals Service.Federal prosecutors accuse Ponzo specifically with the June 1989 attempted murder of Frank Salemme outside an IHOP in Saugus. Known as “Cadillac Frank,” Salemme is the former head of the New England mob.Ponzo had been a fugitive from state charges since 1994 until his February arrest. In 1997, he was charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit murder, RICO, firearms and other charges. Ponzo was allegedly involved in the New England La Cosa Nostra in the late 1980s and 1990s. It is further alleged that he conspired to murder and attempted to murder rival faction members.The rendition was handled by the U.S. Marshals Service. Ponzo’s arrest was handled by the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in Idaho, including the Ada and Canyon County Sheriff’s Offices and the Nampa Police Department. The Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Idaho also assisted.