Bufalino Family Soldier Swimmy DeBella – Street Smart but Dead Broke

I n 1938, at the age of 20, Samuel DeBella took his first pinch for breaking and entering (burglary) and larceny.

He had numerous subsequent arrests for armed robbery (twice), burglary (thrice), possession of stolen property, gambling, disorderly conduct, bookmaking, assault, carrying a concealed weapon (twice), and grand larceny.

DeBella was generally viewed as an important close associate and direct subordinate of Pittston-Scranton area family boss Rosario (Russ) Bufalino .

Samuel (Swimmy) DeBella - aka “Salvatore DeBella” and “Steven DeBella” - was born on September 14, 1918, in the hardscrabble anthracite coal-mining region of Pittston, Pennsylvania.

He was one of eleven children born to Patrick and Carrie (nee’ Tirone) DeBella. Sammy’s brothers and sisters were named Ignatius, Stephen, Joseph, Michael, Nicholas and Carmen Occhipinti, Sara, Katie, Mary, and Carmella.

Swimmy DeBella

DeBella grew up in Pittston and would remain there and operate from there all his life.

Later, he met and married a local girl four years younger than him by the name of Jennie (nee’ Cumbo). The couple soon had one daughter they christened Mary Anne.

Eventually, the DeBellas bought a home at 25 East Oak Street in Pittston. Years later, the family moved to another home on East Frothingham Street, also located in Pittston.

DeBella stood 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighed a lean 160 pounds. He had a medium build, black hair, and brown eyes.

Well known as a devout hoodlum, DeBella was street-tough through and through.

Pennsylvania-State PD #B11937

Strong Arm and Underworld Enforcer

In 1938, at the age of 20, DeBella took his first pinch for breaking and entering (burglary) and larceny.

He had numerous subsequent arrests for armed robbery (twice), burglary (thrice), possession of stolen property, gambling, disorderly conduct, bookmaking, assault, carrying a concealed weapon (twice), and grand larceny.

DeBella was generally viewed as an important close associate and direct subordinate of Pittston-Scranton area family boss Rosario (Russ) Bufalino.

He also had a well-deserved reputation as a strong-arm man and underworld “enforcer” for the Mafia in the Pittston area.

DeBella's Criminal Associates

Besides Bufalino, DeBella listed among his closer criminal associates most of the key members of their Pittston borgata.

These included such iconic names as the founding boss of this family, Santo (King of the Night) Volpe; consigliere Vincenzo (Dave Osticco) Sticco; capos Angelo (Sandy) Sciandra and Dominick (Nicky) Alaimo; and soldiers Louis Pagnotti, Salvatore (Sam) Alaimo, Modesto (Murph) Loquasto, Casper (Cappy) Guimento, and labor-union racketeer Nicholas Benfanti.

DeBella was also said to be on very friendly terms with Pittsburgh family capo Gabriel (Kelly) Mannarino , who along with his brother Sam Mannarino ruled over the little town of New Kensington, PA.

Beyond the Streets

Although “Swimmy” DeBella's mainly focused on street rackets like armed heists and burglaries, family boss Russ Bufalino made sure to also provide him employment in several “legit” businesses as well.

These legit businesses provided DeBella with a steady paycheck so if the feds came knocking, he could easily explain his lifestyle.

It was a good thing, too, because DeBella was known as a degenerate gambler who would steadily blow big money betting on the ponies and baseball games.

He was known to have often been dead broke after a bad losing streak. This was thought to be another reason why Swimmy often got involved in low-end street rackets like common burglaries and thefts to try and earn a quick buck.

Over the years, authorities listed DeBella as a part-owner with Bufalino in the Penn Drape & Curtain Company, 161 South Main Street, and the S & B Machine Company, 112 South Main Street, both located in Pittston.

But, in reality, DeBella was usually dead broke.

Authorities suspected that DeBella really had no ownership stake in these firms and only acted as a “frontman” for Bufalino in these businesses.

Running Numbers and Bookmaking

In 1959, DeBella was said to be partnered with soldier Cappy Guimento in a bookmaking establishment they ran out of a storefront at 82 South Main Street.

After only a few days in operation, they shut it down because of the tremendous police “heat” in the area.

DeBella subsequently started booking horses out of public telephone booths he regularly rotated from at the nearby Twin Restaurant in Pittston.

In 1960, DeBella was arrested at Lou’s Poolroom along with Dave Sciandra, the nephew of both Bufalino and capo Angelo Sciandra.

Charged with running numbers and booking out of the billiard parlor, they both later pled out and paid criminal fines.

Largely considered a deadbeat, DeBella often welched on debts with gambling customers who had won with his book.

His shaky reputation, even among mob members, was far from stellar. After a while, even fellow mafiosi didn’t want to partner with him anymore.

An Audacious Arrest

DeBella figured in several high-profile criminal cases over the years.

One of his most audacious arrests was when he was charged as being the behind-the-scenes coordinator of a five-man burglary gang targeting local businessmen and homeowners over a number of years.

The gang was eventually all brought to trial and convicted. DeBella received a hefty eight-year jail term at a State Penitentiary.

It was one of several significant prison terms he ended up serving during his lifetime.

Mafia soldier Samuel (Swimmy) DeBella died at home on November 18, 1991. He was 73 years old.

Bufalino Family Soldier Swimmy DeBella – Street Smart but Dead Broke

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Bufalino Family Soldier Swimmy DeBella – Street Smart but Dead Broke

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You May Also Enjoy

Racketeer Snapshot – Colorado Underboss Charlie Blanda

Boston Capo – Joseph (Joe Burns) Anselmo

Racketeer Snapshot: Los Angeles Mafioso Joe Dipollito

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