This article explores ten criminals who committed the perfect crime, evading law enforcement for a significant amount of time before being brought to justice. Amongst those featured are D.B. Cooper, who hijacked a flight in 1971 and was never seen again, and Frank Abagnale Jr., who impersonated a pilot, doctor, and lawyer to commit white-collar crimes in the 1960s. The article also details the infamous Mona Lisa theft and the international jewel thief gang known as the Pink Panthers. Ultimately, the article highlights that even the most well-planned crimes can fall apart, leading to the downfall of even the most meticulous criminals.
10 Criminals Who Committed the Perfect Crime (Until They Were Caught)
Throughout history, there have been criminals who have committed the perfect crime, leaving no trace behind and evading the authorities for years. However, in the end, even the most meticulous criminal can slip up, leading to their ultimate downfall. Here are ten criminals who committed the perfect crime until they were caught.
1. D.B. Cooper
In 1971, D.B. Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient Airlines flight, demanding $200,000 and a parachute in exchange for the passengers’ safety. He then disappeared mid-flight, never to be seen again. Although an extensive search was conducted, no trace of D.B. Cooper was ever found.
2. Kenyon Juvenal
In 2012, Kenyon Juvenal successfully robbed a Wells Fargo Bank in California, stealing $3.3 million in cash. He left no fingerprints or DNA at the scene and used a decoy van to evade authorities. However, he was eventually caught due to a tip from a former girlfriend.
3. Russell Pickett
In 2004, Russell Pickett stole more than $1 million worth of jewelry from a Kay Jewelers store. He was able to disable the security systems and escape undetected. However, he was eventually caught due to surveillance footage and a tip from a former employee.
4. John List
In 1971, John List killed his entire family and disappeared, changing his identity and living under a false name for 17 years. He was eventually caught due to a segment on America’s Most Wanted and convicted of murder.
5. The Mona Lisa Thief
In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, hid in a closet overnight and left with the painting when the museum opened in the morning. He was able to evade the authorities by hiding the painting in his apartment for two years before attempting to sell it to an art dealer.
6. Frank Abagnale Jr.
In the 1960s, Frank Abagnale Jr. impersonated a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer to commit various white-collar crimes. He was able to evade authorities for years until he was eventually caught and spent five years in prison. His story inspired the movie “Catch Me If You Can.”
7. Herve Falciani
In 2008, Herve Falciani, a former employee of the Swiss bank HSBC, downloaded a list of over 100,000 account holders and fled to France. He leaked the information to various governments, leading to investigations and prosecutions of tax evaders. While he technically committed a crime by stealing the data, he is viewed as a hero by many for exposing corruption.
8. The Pink Panthers
The Pink Panthers are an international jewel thief gang responsible for stealing over $500 million worth of jewelry since 1999. They are known for their meticulous planning and execution, often posing as tourists or art collectors to gain access to high-security areas. While many members have been caught, the group continues to operate today.
9. Timothy McVeigh
In 1995, Timothy McVeigh detonated a bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. He was able to evade authorities for several days until he was pulled over for a traffic violation and arrested. He was eventually convicted of the crime and executed in 2001.
10. Ted Kaczynski
Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, targeted universities and airlines with mail bombs for nearly 20 years before he was caught in 1996. He was able to evade authorities due to his reclusive lifestyle and lack of ties to any known organization. However, his manifesto, which criticized modern technology and industrial society, eventually helped lead to his capture.
Conclusion
While these criminals may have thought they had successfully committed the perfect crime, they all eventually got caught. Even the most meticulous planning and execution can lead to slip-ups and mistakes that can ultimately lead to a criminal’s downfall.