This article explores 10 notorious bank heists throughout history, including some of the largest and most sophisticated robberies in the world. The Great Train Robbery of 1963 and the Northern Bank Robbery in Ireland in 2004 are among the best-known heists, with the latter using an underground tunnel system to gain access to the bank vault. Other notable robberies include the Loomis Fargo Robbery of 1997 and the Dunbar Armored Robbery of the same year, both of which saw millions stolen. Bank heists have inspired countless movies and books and continue to fascinate and capture our imagination.
10 Notorious Bank Heists Throughout History
1. The Great Train Robbery (1963)
The Great Train Robbery of 1963 is one of the most legendary heists in British history. The plan was masterminded by Bruce Reynolds, and the gang stole £2.6 million. The robbers intercepted a Glasgow to London mail train and held the driver and mail clerk hostage, stealing most of the money that was aboard.
2. Banco Central Heist (2005)
In 2005, a group of robbers tunneled into the vault of the Banco Central in Fortaleza, Brazil. The robbers successfully stole R$164,755,150 ($71.6 million) from the bank. The robbers used the noise of the nearby construction site to cloak the sounds of their drilling and pounding.
3. The United California Bank Robbery (1972)
In 1972, Amil Dinsio and his gang broke into the United California Bank in California, where they managed to steal what was at that time one of the largest bank heist hauls ever: $30 million. The robbers used fake identities, modified cars, night vision goggles, walkie-talkies, and a bomb. The plan was well-executed and they almost got away with it, but were caught years later.
4. Northern Bank Robbery (2004)
The Northern Bank robbery occurred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2004. A gang broke into the bank and stole £26.5 million. The plan was sophisticated, with the robbers gaining access to the bank vault through an underground tunnel network.
5. The Manhattan Bank Robbery (1878)
The Manhattan Bank robbery is one of the most famous bank robberies in American history. In 1878, George Leslie and his gang broke into the Manhattan Savings Institution, where they stole $3 million in cash, gold, and securities. The gang used dynamite to blow open the bank’s safe deposit boxes.
6. The Brink’s-MAT Robbery (1983)
In 1983, a group of robbers broke into the Brink’s-MAT warehouse in London, where they stole £26 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds, and cash. The robbery was violent, with the robbers beating up the security guards before escaping with the loot.
7. Bank of America Robbery (1981)
In 1981, armed robbers broke into the Bank of America branch in Acushnet, Massachusetts, and stole $1.6 million. The robbers were eventually caught and imprisoned, but only after an intense nationwide manhunt.
8. Loomis Fargo Robbery (1997)
The Loomis Fargo robbery is one of the largest cash robberies in American history. In 1997, David Scott Ghantt and several accomplices robbed the vault of the Loomis Fargo armored car company in Charlotte, North Carolina, stealing $17.3 million. The robbers were eventually caught and prosecuted.
9. Knightsbridge Security Deposit Robbery (1987)
In 1987, a group of robbers broke into the Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Centre in London and stole an estimated £60 million worth of valuables. The robbers had inside information and had carefully planned the heist. They managed to evade the police for several months before eventually being caught.
10. Dunbar Armored Robbery (1997)
In 1997, six employees of the Dunbar Armored car company robbed the vault of the company’s Los Angeles branch, stealing $18.9 million. The robbers were caught and prosecuted, but only a small portion of the money was recovered.
Conclusion
Bank heists have been happening for centuries, but the scale and sophistication of some of these robberies are truly impressive. Although many of these notorious bank heists have been solved, some of the perpetrators and the loot are still on the loose. These heists have been the inspiration for countless movies, TV shows, and books, and will continue to capture our fascination and imagination for years to come.