This content highlights 10 notorious heists in history, ranging from the Great Train Robbery in 1963 to the Lufthansa Heist in 1978. Each heist is described briefly, including details such as the stolen amount, the methods used, and the historical significance of the robbery. These heists include the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist in 1990, the Banco Central Burglary in 2005, the Hatton Garden Heist in 2015, and others. The content also mentions the movies that have depicted some of these heists, such as “Goodfellas.” Many of the stolen items and money were never recovered, leaving some cases open and unsolved.
10 Notorious Heists in History
1. The Great Train Robbery (1963)
The Great Train Robbery is one of the most infamous heists in British history. On August 8, 1963, a gang of fifteen men targeted a Royal Mail train heading between Glasgow and London. The robbers, armed with firearms and explosives, intercepted the train, attacked the crew, and made off with £2.6 million (equivalent to £53 million today). This audacious robbery shocked the nation and led to a nationwide manhunt.
2. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist (1990)
In the early hours of March 18, 1990, two men disguised as police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and stole thirteen artworks, including works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas. The estimated value of the stolen pieces is around $500 million, making it the largest art theft in history. Despite extensive investigations, the stolen artwork has never been recovered, and the case remains open, baffling art experts and law enforcement alike.
3. The Banco Central Burglary (2005)
The Banco Central Burglary is considered one of the most audacious heists ever committed in Brazil. In August 2005, a gang of thieves spent three months digging a tunnel from a rented house to reach the Banco Central in Fortaleza. The tunnel was approximately 78 meters long, and the robbers managed to bypass the bank’s alarms and security systems. They stole an astounding 160 million Brazilian reals (equivalent to $71 million). Only a small portion of the stolen money was ever recovered, and most of the gang members were captured and sentenced.
4. The Hatton Garden Heist (2015)
In April 2015, a group of elderly criminals pulled off one of the most daring heists in London’s jewelry district, Hatton Garden. Over the Easter weekend, the gang drilled through a concrete wall to gain access to the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company’s vault. They managed to steal an estimated £14 million ($20 million) worth of jewelry, cash, and other valuables. The audaciousness of this heist, combined with the age of the perpetrators, amazed the world. Eventually, the majority of the gang members were caught, and the stolen goods were recovered.
5. The Lufthansa Heist (1978)
The Lufthansa Heist is one of the most infamous heists in American history, famously depicted in the movie “Goodfellas.” In December 1978, a gang of mobsters orchestrated a heist at the Lufthansa cargo building at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The gang stole approximately $5 million in cash and $875,000 worth of jewelry, making it the largest cash robbery on American soil at that time. While some of the gang members were eventually apprehended, much of the stolen money was never recovered.
6. The Securitas Depot Heist (2006)
In February 2006, a gang of armed robbers executed a meticulously planned heist at the Securitas Bank Depot in Tonbridge, Kent, England. The gang, disguised as police officers, kidnapped the manager of the depot along with his family. They then proceeded to steal an astonishing £53 million (approximately $79 million) in cash, making it the largest cash robbery in British history. Thanks to intense investigations, police officers were able to apprehend most of the gang members, and a significant portion of the stolen money was recovered.
7. The Banco Central Burglary of Fortaleza (2005)
One of the most audacious bank heists of all time, the Banco Central Burglary in Fortaleza, Brazil, amazed the world with its intricacies. A gang of thieves spent three months digging a tunnel from a rented house to the Banco Central, covering a distance of approximately 78 meters. The thieves made off with an astounding 160 million Brazilian reals (around $71 million). Despite capturing some of the members and recovering a small portion of the stolen money, the majority remains missing to this day.
8. The Gardner Museum Heist (1990)
In what continues to be the largest art theft in history, the Gardner Museum Heist shocked the world with its boldness. During the early hours of March 18, 1990, two individuals disguised as police officers broke into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The thieves made off with thirteen artworks, including pieces by renowned artists Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas, with an estimated value of $500 million. Despite countless leads and investigations, the stolen artwork remains missing, leaving the case open and art enthusiasts puzzled.
9. The Hatton Garden Heist (2015)
A group of elderly criminals orchestrated an incredible heist in London’s prestigious jewelry district, Hatton Garden, over the Easter weekend of 2015. Using sophisticated tools, they drilled through a concrete wall to gain access to the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company’s vault. In an impressive display of skill, the gang managed to steal approximately £14 million ($20 million) worth of valuable items. Eventually, most of the gang members were apprehended, and the stolen goods were recovered.
10. The Lufthansa Heist (1978)
Made famous by the movie “Goodfellas,” the Lufthansa Heist stunned the world when it took place in December 1978. Led by mobsters, the heist targeted the Lufthansa cargo building at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The gang successfully stole around $5 million in cash and $875,000 worth of jewelry, marking it as the largest cash robbery on U.S. soil at the time. Although some members of the gang were apprehended, a considerable portion of the stolen money was never recovered.