Ralph DiMatteo

DiMatteo, 66, was the only member of the Colombos indicted Tuesday September 14 2021 to evade arrest after he traveled to Florida the day before. His arrest was expected imminently — but by Wednesday, he was in the wind, the feds said. DiMatteo, known as “number three” by other members of the Colombo clan in deference to his rank in the family hierarchy, was hit along with 87-year-old boss Andrew Russo on charges of racketeering, including acts of extortion and money laundering. He was also charged with conspiracy to steal and embezzle health benefit funds, attempted health care fraud and other charges as the feds took down the family’s entire hierarchy. His co-defendants include underboss Benjamin (The Claw) Castellazzo and four capos — including the nephew of the crime family namesake Carmine (Junior) Persico. DiMatteo’s son, Angelo DiMatteo, updated his Twitter profile picture Wednesday to a photo of his barrel-chested father leaning back in a swimming pool with his wife lying behind him. It’s not clear if the shot was taken before or after the indictment was filed. Angelo also posted a rat emoji to his Twitter account on Tuesday, suggesting someone in the Colombo family gabbed to the feds.DiMatteo senior’s attorney, Mathew Mari, was in contact with the feds about a possible surrender Tuesday, but talks fell apart. DiMatteo’s rap sheet includes a 1985 conviction for conspiracy to distribute heroin and drug trafficking offenses that got him a eight-year prison sentence. In 2001, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which got him an 18 month sentence.