6 Most Infamous Heists in History That Left Experts Baffled
History has been filled with heists, both successful and not, stealing everything from money to paintings. The most infamous heists in history become so well-known because of the audacity of the heist and the intricate planning that goes into stealing high-value items. Inspiring several blockbuster films and TV series, heists continue to stay in the public’s mind. Keep reading to learn about six of these infamous heists and what makes them so unforgettable.
6. The United California Bank Heist
Our sixth selection for most infamous heists is the United California Bank Heist of 1972. The heist involved the theft of around $9 million from the bank’s vault in Laguna Niguel, California. Led by Amil Dinsio, a gang used dynamite to blast into the vault and meticulously planned the heist by renting a nearby townhouse to scope out the security systems. While the heist was notable for the amount of money stolen, the gang was eventually caught after failing to cover their tracks.
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5. The Baker Street Robbery
Next up on our list of infamous heists is the Baker Street Robbery in London in 1971. The theft consisted of around £3 million from safety deposit boxes from Lloyds Bank. The robbers pulled off the heist by renting a shop two doors down, tunneling their way into the vault over several weeks, and stealing the money from there. Eventually, the robbers were caught after being overheard by an amateur radio operator, ending the media frenzy surrounding the theft.
4. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist ranks fourth on our list of infamous heists, taking place on March 18, 1990. Two men disguised as police officers entered the museum, tied up the guards, and escaped with thirteen pieces of priceless art valued at over $500 million, including pieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas. The boldness of the theft baffled the art world and law enforcement alike, and though there have been numerous leads, the artwork has never been recovered.
3. The Antwerp Diamond Heist
Ranking in the top three most infamous heists in history is the Antwerp Diamond Heist in 2003. Over $100 million worth of diamonds, gold, and other jewels from the center in Belgium were stolen, led by mastermind Leonardo Notarbartolo. He rented an office space in the building and posed as a diamond merchant, later helping his team beat ten layers of security, including heat detectors and a magnetic field. Notarbartolo was eventually caught, but the precision and sophistication of the heist are unmatched.
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2. The Lufthansa Heist of 1978
Earning the second spot on our infamous heists list is the Lufthansa Heist, which has been immortalized in the film Goodfellas. The heist took place at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 1978, led by mobster Jimmy Burke. His crew managed to steal $5 million in cash and nearly $1 million in jewelry from the Lufthansa cargo building. While the heist was clean, the aftermath included the murders of several associates in the crime and was a cold case for many years.
1. Great Train Robbery of 1963
Last but not least on our infamous heists list is the Great Train Robbery of 1963. The robbery took place on a Royal Mail train heading from Glasgow to London after the crew stopped the train by tampering with the signal lights. Led by Bruce Reynolds, the crew used violence to subdue the train crew and made off with £2.6 million, which equates to £50 million today. While their plan was meticulous and aided by inside information, most of the gang members were eventually caught and convicted for their crimes.
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