VIDEO: FBI Captures Mob Boss Who Inspired 'The Departed'

Boston mob boss James Bulger, 81, who was known as "Whitey" to his Irish-American crime family and served as the inspiration for Jack Nicholson's character in the 2006 Oscar-winning Martin Scorsese film, The Departed, was arrested in Santa Monica, Calif. on Wednesday, after successfully evading the FBI for 16 years.

Bulger, who was wanted in connection with 19 murders and numerous counts of extortion and drug dealing, has already been removed from his longstanding position as No. 1 on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list. He and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig, were taken into custody "without incident," after law enforcement officials had put his residence under surveillance, according to The Los Angeles Times. He is being held today in a California jail.

Bulger was known to have disguised himself by sporting various types of glasses and facial hair. The relatively public location of his Santa Monica residence, however, leads many to note that he appeared to be hiding in plain sight.

Watch a clip of Nicholson's portrayal of Bulger here: