Here, we present the top 10 greatest heists of all time that have left their mark on history and popular culture.
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1. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist (1990)
Considered one of the most famous art heists, two thieves disguised as police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and made off with 13 pieces of artwork valued at around $500 million. The stolen items, which included works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas, have never been recovered, making this robbery a tantalizing mystery.
2. The Great Train Robbery (1963)
A group of robbers in England pulled off one of the most audacious train heists in history, stealing £2.6 million (equivalent to over £50 million today) from a Royal Mail train. The meticulously planned robbery involved stopping the train, overpowering the crew, and making off with the loot. The criminals were eventually caught, but the majority of the stolen money was never recovered.
3. Banco Central Burglary (2005)
In Brazil, a group of criminals spent three months digging an 80-meter tunnel leading to the Banco Central's vault. The thieves made away with an astonishing $70 million, making it one of the largest cash heists in history. The elaborate scheme involved intricate planning and execution, showcasing the lengths some will go to execute a massive robbery.
4. Antwerp Diamond Heist (2003)
A gang of Italian thieves infiltrated the Antwerp Diamond Centre in Belgium and stole an estimated $100 million worth of diamonds, gold, and other precious stones. The criminals used sophisticated methods to bypass security systems, and much of the loot has never been recovered.
5. Hatton Garden Heist (2015)
A group of elderly thieves, dubbed the "Bad Grandpas," drilled into the vault of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London over a long Easter weekend. The heist netted them an estimated £14 million in jewellery and other valuables. The audacity of the crime, combined with the age of the perpetrators, captured media attention around the world.
6. Banco Central Fortaleza (2006)
Similar to the Banco Central Burglary, this Brazilian heist involved digging a tunnel to access a bank's vault. The thieves spent three months digging a 78-meter tunnel and made off with over $70 million. The ingenuity and determination of the criminals in executing such a massive crime remain astonishing.
7. The British Bank of the Middle East Robbery (1976)
A group of militants affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) carried out a brazen robbery at the British Bank of the Middle East in Beirut, Lebanon. The thieves made off with an estimated $20 million, in what was believed to be an attempt to fund anti-Israeli activities.
8. Banco Central Tuntum (2009)
Continuing the trend of ambitious tunnel-based heists in Brazil, criminals dug a tunnel from a rented house to the Banco Central Tuntum, making away with approximately $71 million. The robbery highlighted the vulnerability of some bank vaults to determined thieves willing to invest considerable time and effort.
9. The Securitas Depot Robbery (2006)
A gang of criminals in the UK kidnapped the manager of a Securitas depot along with his family, forcing him to help carry out a massive heist. The thieves stole £53 million in cash, one of the largest cash thefts in British history. The case eventually led to a high-profile trial and convictions.
10. The Banco Central Criciúma (2020)
Brazil's fascination with elaborate heists continued with the Banco Central Criciúma robbery. This time, a heavily armed gang paralyzed the city with explosions and gunfire, making off with over $5 million. The coordinated and violent nature of the robbery drew comparisons to scenes from action movies.
These top 10 greatest robberies on Earth are a testament to the lengths some criminals will go to execute daring and often meticulously planned heists. While the allure of riches and the thrill of outsmarting security systems may drive these criminal endeavours, they also serve as reminders of the importance of robust security measures and law enforcement efforts to safeguard our valuables and maintain social order.
Written by: Johan Rosario
Edited by: Radhika Agrawal
Written by: Johan Rosario
Edited by: Radhika Agrawal
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer.
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