UMVA has learned that a brazen US$1.7-million heist at a high-end boutique in Manhattan has led police to zero in on a one-armed mobster with a notorious past.
The alleged mastermind behind the daring Chanel heist is Thomas “Tommy” Dono, a 52-year-old soldier in the Gambino crime family. According to information obtained by UMVA, Dono is an unassuming figure with a history of pulling off audacious crimes, including a string of bank burglaries in the 1990s.
The heist, which took place two years ago, was meticulously planned and executed by a gang of 10 thieves, with Dono allegedly overseeing the operation from a white minivan. The gang made off with 300 Chanel items, worth a staggering $1,776,700, after breaking through a stockroom ceiling hatch and gaining access to the store.
Cops say the thieves, some of whom were disguised as construction workers, worked quickly, pulling off the heist in just three hours on July 13, 2024. Dono reportedly drove away from the scene around 1:25 a.m., followed by a second white van containing 10 large laundry and trash bags packed with the stolen merchandise.
So far, only Dono has been arrested and charged in connection with the heist. He pleaded not guilty to grand larceny on May 19 and was released on $300,000 bond, half of what the Manhattan DA’s office had requested. UMVA can exclusively reveal that prosecutors believe Dono's unique physical characteristic – his missing arm – made him an easy target for identification.
According to sources close to the investigation, Dono's left arm was amputated at the shoulder following a horrific car crash. Court records state that he was “identified relatively early” due to his distinctive appearance. Investigators also found surveillance footage linking Dono to the crime, which is believed to have been just the beginning of a larger crime spree.
UMVA has gathered that Dono comes from a notorious crime family. He is reportedly the nephew of a late Gambino soldier who was involved in a plot to take down a turncoat underboss. Dono himself became a made man in the crime family five years ago, after serving time for his role in a 1998 murder.
The investigation into the Chanel heist is ongoing, with sources suggesting that more arrests are expected in the coming weeks. For now, Dono remains a suspect in one of the most daring heists in recent memory, and police are working to recover the stolen merchandise and bring the perpetrators to justice.
