The person at the center of this case
Gas station owner (unnamed)
Cold Case · Open - Fugitive at Large
63 years waiting · since 1962
GEORGE EDWARD WRIGHT
Justice for Gas station owner (unnamed) — the trail went cold in 1962, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1How did Wright evade capture for over 40 years before his 2011 arrest in Portugal?
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evidence
Lead #2What was the source and nature of the ransom payment in the 1972 hijacking?
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location
Lead #3Why did Wright choose to remain in Portugal after his 2011 release from custody?
On November 23, 1962, George Edward Wright and an accomplice robbed and fatally shot a gas station owner in Wall, New Jersey. Wright was convicted and sentenced to 15-30 years in prison, but escaped on August 22, 1970, from the New Jersey State Prison. On July 31, 1972, Wright hijacked a Delta Airlines flight from Detroit to Miami using a handgun concealed in a Bible, securing a ransom before the plane was flown to Algiers—he remains the only hijacker still at large and is believed to be living in Portugal.
Case
#683
FBI, New Jersey State Police, U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👤
person
Lead #4Who was Wright's accomplice in the 1962 gas station robbery and murder?
💡
clue
Lead #5Were there any sightings or intelligence reports of Wright between 1970 and 2011?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Confinement - Escape (Murder); Air Piracy (Seizing by Force an Aircraft in Air Commerce); Aiding and Abetting Caution: George Edward Wright is wanted for his involvement in a series of crimes dating back to 1962. On November 23, 1962, Wright and an accomplice, who was arrested, shot and killed the owner of a gas station in Wall, New Jersey, during the commission of a robbery at the business.
On December 13, 1962, Wright was indicted for the murder. He entered a plea of "no defense", and was sentenced to prison for a period of 15 to 30 years.
Then, on August 22, 1970, Wright escaped from the New Jersey State Prison in Leesburg, New Jersey. The State of New Jersey issued an arrest warrant for Wright after he was charged with escape and, on August 26, 1970, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Wright in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Trenton, New Jersey, after he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid confinement.
On July 31, 1972, Wright, and others who were arrested, hijacked a Delta Airlines jet en route from Detroit, Michigan, to Miami, Florida. The hijackers used handguns and made threats against the passengers on the plane.
At the time, Wright used the name Reverend Larry Burgess, wore the clothing of a cleric, and carried a Bible. He used a gun concealed in the Bible to confront the aircraft's pilot and crew.
After a ransom was delivered to the hijackers, the passengers were released in Miami. The hijackers and the plane's crew then flew to Boston, Massachusetts, refueled, picked up an international navigator, and flew to Algiers.
The plane and ransom were then returned to the United States Government, while the hijackers remained free. On September 26, 2011, after more than 40 years as a fugitive, Wright was arrested in Portugal.
He was released from custody in October of 2011, and remains in Portugal, where he continues to live. Wright is the sole hijacker to remain at large.
Remarks: Wright is known to be living in Portugal.
Timeline of Events
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1962-11-23
Gas Station Robbery and Murder
Wright and accomplice shot and killed gas station owner during robbery in Wall, New Jersey
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1962-12-13
Indictment for Murder
Wright indicted for murder; entered plea of no defense and sentenced to 15-30 years
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1970-08-22
Prison Escape
Wright escaped from New Jersey State Prison in Leesburg, New Jersey
🕵️
1970-08-26
Federal Arrest Warrant
Federal arrest warrant issued for unlawful flight to avoid confinement
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1972-07-31
Delta Airlines Hijacking
Wright hijacked Delta Airlines jet en route from Detroit to Miami using handgun concealed in Bible; used alias Reverend Larry Burgess; plane flown to Algiers after ransom delivered
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 23, 1962
Last Updated:July 14, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:November 23, 1962
Last Updated:July 14, 2026