FBI Laboratory Solves Decades-Old Mystery of 1988 Florida Armored Car Heist Following Fugitive’s Death

FBI forensics identify John Anthony Quinn, wanted for a $1.3M armored car heist in 1988, after he died under an alias in North Carolina.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 11:33 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FBI

Cold Case Reaches Final Conclusion After Decades of Evasion

A federal manhunt that spanned nearly 38 years has reached its conclusion following the death of a high-profile fugitive in Asheville, North Carolina. John Anthony Quinn, a former manager at Federal Protection Service, had been the subject of an intense search since April 1988. According to federal investigators, Quinn managed to evade capture through a sophisticated network of aliases and relocation strategies, successfully avoiding law enforcement until his passing from natural causes in December at a local hospital.

The Multi-Million Dollar Vault Theft of 1988

The original crime occurred in Riviera Beach, Florida, where Quinn was employed in a position of trust as a manager for an armored car service. Authorities allege that Quinn exploited his access to the company’s vault to steal approximately $1.3 million in cash before disappearing. At 48 years old at the time of the heist, he became the target of both state and federal warrants, including charges for First Degree Grand Theft and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution, marking him as one of the region's most sought-after financial fugitives.

Life Under a Shadow of False Identities

For nearly forty years, Quinn lived a double life, adopting a variety of names to mask his true identity from the public and the FBI. Records indicate he utilized several monikers, including Dale Calvin Cluckey, Jack Quinn, and James Sullivan. Even on his deathbed, he was known to hospital staff as Jim Klein. This commitment to anonymity allowed him to remain hidden despite being featured prominently on national television programs such as "Unsolved Mysteries" and "America’s Most Wanted," which frequently showcased his case to millions of viewers.