This article features the top ten criminal masterminds who managed to evade police for years, leaving law enforcement struggling to capture them. The list includes Frank Abagnale, a successful con artist who posed as a pilot, doctor, lawyer, and teacher, Robert Durst, a real estate tycoon accused of multiple murders caught on tape confessing to one, and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, a notorious drug lord known for hiding in the mountains and tunnels. Others include Ted Kaczynski, Bonnie and Clyde, D.B. Cooper, The Zodiac Killer, The Great Train Robbers, and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. Although some have been caught, a few remain at large.
Ten Criminal Masterminds Who Evaded Police for Years
Criminals come in all shapes and sizes, but some are more cunning than others. These are the masterminds who plan and execute their crimes with precision, leaving little trace behind. They are able to evade the authorities for years, leaving law enforcement scratching their heads and the public wondering how they were able to get away with it. Here are ten such criminal masterminds who managed to evade police for years.
1. Frank Abagnale
Frank Abagnale was one of the most prolific con artists of the 20th century. He posed as a pilot, doctor, lawyer, and even a teacher to swindle millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims. Abagnale was eventually caught and served time in prison, but not before inspiring the hit movie Catch Me If You Can.
2. Robert Durst
Robert Durst is a real estate tycoon who has been implicated in multiple murders. He has been able to evade the authorities for years, even after being caught on tape confessing to one of the murders. Durst was eventually arrested in 2015 and is currently awaiting trial.
3. Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is one of the most notorious drug lords in the world. He managed to evade capture for years by hiding out in the mountains and using a network of tunnels to escape from the authorities. Guzmán was eventually caught in 2016 and is now serving life in prison.
4. Whitey Bulger
James “Whitey” Bulger was a notorious gangster who terrorized Boston for decades. He was able to evade the authorities by being an FBI informant and by constantly changing his appearance. Bulger was eventually caught in 2011 and was killed in prison in 2018.
5. Ted Kaczynski
Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, was a domestic terrorist who sent mail bombs to universities and airlines over a period of 17 years. He managed to evade the authorities by living in isolation in a cabin in the woods. Kaczynski was eventually caught in 1996 after his brother recognized his writing style in the Unabomber manifesto.
6. Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde are perhaps the most famous criminal duo in history. They were able to evade the authorities for years by constantly moving and robbing banks and stores along the way. Bonnie and Clyde were eventually caught and killed in a shoot-out with police in 1934.
7. D.B. Cooper
D.B. Cooper is the only unsolved hijacking case in history. The mysterious hijacker jumped out of a plane with a parachute and a bag of money in 1971, never to be seen again. Despite years of investigation, the authorities have never been able to identify or locate Cooper.
8. The Zodiac Killer
The Zodiac Killer is one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. He sent cryptic letters to the authorities and the media, taunting them with clues to his identity. The killer was never caught and his identity remains a mystery to this day.
9. The Great Train Robbers
The Great Train Robbery was a heist that took place in 1963 in Britain. A gang of 15 men stole millions of dollars from a train and managed to evade the authorities for years by hiding out in Spain and South America. Most of the gang members were eventually caught and served time in prison.
10. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh
Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh is a British-born terrorist who was involved in the kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl. Sheikh managed to evade the authorities for years by living in Pakistan and using false identities. He was eventually caught and is currently on death row in Pakistan.
These ten criminals were able to evade police for years, despite their heinous crimes. Their ability to outsmart the authorities and live a life on the run is a testament to their cunning and intelligence. While some were eventually caught and brought to justice, others remain at large to this day. The lesson to be learned is that crime truly does not pay, and that eventually, even the most elusive criminal will be caught.