In 1931, he was among over a dozen arrested on multiple robbery and murder charges for being members of the “Red Onion Gang,” a notorious group alleged to be responsible for dozens of robberies and several homicides in Downtown Brooklyn.

Vincent (Lefty) Cassese – aka “James Cassese” and “Frank Leone” – was born in 1910 and raised at 890 Flushing Ave., 229 Johnson St, and 921 Gold St. in the Fort Greene/Downtown Brooklyn sections of the borough. He later resided at 927 80th St.