In 1941, it was reported by informants that LaRocca was in control of all the numbers activity in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. He was also said to be a distributor of “one-armed bandits” or slot machines that were placed throughout the neighborhood in candy stores, bars, and other establishments. LaRocca reportedly received these machines from a connection made in the city of Chicago.
Sebastiano Giovanni LaRocca – aka“John LaRocca”, “Big John”, “Lester Larock”- one of six children (3 boys and 3 girls), was born on December 19, 1901, in Villarosa (Caltanisetta), Sicily. He immigrated to the United States when he was 8-years-old on September 2, 1910, in NYC. He originally resided at 321 Main Street, in Jamestown, NY. By 1940, he lived at 6426 Apple Street in Pittsburgh. As he increased in wealth and power, he moved into a palatial home at 900 West Ingomar Road, Ingomar, PA.
