- Year: 1978
- Worth at Time: $5.9 million
- Worth Now: $28.4 million
In 1978, at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, 6 robbers made out with nearly $6 million in cash and jewels. Only one personal was found guilty of the crime and the riches were never found. During the investigation, nearly a dozen murders and disappearances were discovered, thought to be the crew’s attempts at keeping their secret safe. The heist is said to have provided some inspiration for the 1990 film Goodfellas.
- Year: 2024
- Worth at Time: $30 million
- Worth Now: $30 million
On March 31, 2024, in the San Fernando Valley of California, burglars forced their way inside a money storage facility and walked out with $30 million in cash. They are thought to have gained access through the roof and into a safe without setting off a single alarm. So far, no one has been caught in relation to the crime, but it is believed to have been aided by someone with inside knowledge.
- Year: 1997
- Worth at Time: $17.3 million
- Worth Now: $33.9 million
Their second large-scale robbery in 1997, Loomis Fargo took a hit from their employee David Ghantt, a regional vault supervisor in Maiden, North Carolina. His scheme involved 2 dozen people who aided his effort to steal over $17 million out of the vaults overnight. While his work was identifying him as the main suspect when he didn’t show up for his shift the next morning, Ghantt was fleeing to Mexico with $50k. Eventually, he and 24 others were convicted and 88% of the money was recovered.
- Year: 1982
- Worth at Time: $11 million
- Worth Now: $35.8 million
In 1982, the Sentry Armored Car Company robbery in New York City shook the city. Led by mobsters, the heist involved a meticulously planned ambush where gunmen intercepted an armored car transporting $11 million. Only a portion of the stolen money was recovered, and several suspects were apprehended, shedding light on organized crime's influence in such high-stakes robberies.
- Year: 1950
- Worth at Time: $2.8 million
- Worth Now: $36.5 million
In 1950, the Brink's Building heist in Boston resulted in a theft of $1.2 million – now worth over $35 million. A group of armed robbers, disguised as police officers, gained access by staging a fake emergency. They overpowered security and loaded the cash into their getaway vehicles. Although the thieves initially escaped with the money, most were eventually caught, and only a fraction of the stolen cash was recovered.
- Year: 1997
- Worth at Time: $18.8 million
- Worth Now: $36.8 million
In March 1997, the Loomis Fargo robbery in Jacksonville, Florida, saw one man make off with $18.8 million. Masterminded by employee Philip Johnson, the heist was executed with precision, involving inside information and brute force. He stole the money from the Loomis Fargo vehicle he was driving, overpowering and handcuffing his own coworkers in the process. Despite his initial success, Johnson attempted to reenter the U.S. after fleeing to Mexico, leading to his arrest and the recovery of all of the stolen money.
- Year: 1997
- Worth at Time: $18.9 million
- Worth Now: $37 million
Orchestrated by employee Allen Pace, the Dunbar Armored facility in Los Angeles was targeted by a meticulously planned heist in 1997. The robbers stole $18.9 million, making it one of the largest cash robberies in U.S. history. They meticulously planned the heist during Pace's night shifts, overcoming security measures and leaving minimal evidence. Despite initial success, their downfall came when one member carelessly spent marked bills, leading to their capture and conviction. Pace served nearly 20 years in federal prison before being released in 2020.
- Year: 1930
- Worth at Time: $2.7 million
- Worth Now: $50.8 million
In 1930, the Lincoln National Bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, was the target of a sensational robbery. Six armed men stormed the bank and made off with approximately $2.7 million in cash, silver and securities. The heist was meticulously planned, with the robbers using machine guns to intimidate staff and customers while others loaded up the cash in laundry bags. Despite a massive manhunt, the crew evaded capture for years, cementing the robbery's place in criminal lore. It was considered the largest bank heist in American history until the Brink’s robbery in 1950.
- Year: 2022
- Worth at Time: $100 million - $150 million
- Worth Now: $107 - $161 million
In 2022, a Brinks tractor-trailer parked at a Flying J truck stop in Lebec, California. The vehicle was transporting millions of dollars worth of valuables from the International Gem and Jewelry Show in San Meteo. While the truck's guard and driver went inside, the masked robbers ambushed the vehicle with swift precision. The thieves made off with a significant sum, reportedly stealing over $100 million, making this one of the largest heists in history.
- Year: 1972
- Worth at Time: $27 million
- Worth Now: $203 million
On the morning of January 2, 1972, the Pierre Hotel in New York City was the site of the largest hotel heists in history. Several mafia members and seasoned criminals banned together and took control of the hotel, tying up 19 staff and guests. Over two hours, they looted safety deposit boxes and made off with an estimated $27 million in cash and jewels. The “Gentleman Thieves” were in and out before most of New York was even awake – how thoughtful! Though nobody was convicted of this robbery, some of the thieves met their maker at the hands of the mafia. The only surviving member, Nick “The Cat” Sacco, details the crime in the 2017 novel The Pierre Hotel Affair by Daniel Simone.
- Year: 1972
- Worth at Time: $30 million
- Worth Now: $225.5 million
After disarming the alarms and blasting through the bank vault’s ceiling, the robbers behind the United California Bank Robbery escaped with $30 million in cash and valuables in what was then considered the biggest bank heist in American history. The crime was so flawless and daring that it inspired the thrilling movie Finding Steve Mcqueen. The movie accurately depicts the robbers as native Ohioans who heard that President Nixon stashed illegal funds at that specific bank. It also shows the criminals getting caught by a fingerprint left on a glass. They were so close!
