Some crimes are so heartbreaking or shocking that they earn the label crime of the century.

But the stories that made headlines in decades past aren't necessarily remembered today.

I'm Amber Hunt, a journalist and author.

In each episode of this show, I'll examine a case that's maybe lesser known today,

but was huge when it happened.

This is crimes of the centuries.

For boys looking to beat the New York Heat one June afternoon, we're lounging

on a pier along the East River when one of them spotted a bundle bobbing in the water.

I mean, this was exciting because the river was used by countless freighters every day,

and those freighters had been known to lose a parcel or two as they traveled, meaning

free goods for whoever scooped it up.

These four boys weren't rich kids.

They lived in tenements.

Finding a freebie anything was always welcome.

Jimmy McKenna, a wiery 13 year old boy, decided he would grab whatever it was and dove

into the murky water.

He reached the bundle quickly and dragged it to the rocky shore.

It was heavier than he expected, some 30 pounds or so, and also awkward to lug.

The package had been wrapped in red and gold oil cloth around which were coils of white

rope.

One of Jimmy's friends carried a knife at all times, so he whipped it out and began to

slice through the rope and oil cloth.

...