What makes someone risk it all to steal a priceless diamond or a rare gem? Jewel thieves amaze us with their famous, bold heists and clever plans. Breaking into secure vaults or slipping out with millions in jewels, their stories seem straight out of Hollywood blockbusters, despite being real.
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Sharing a glimpse here of the most renowned thieves and their enthralling heists.
1. The Pink Panthers – The Top Jewel Thief
The Pink Panthers are famous jewel thieves that has existed in the modern era. This Balkan-based group is linked to over €334 million in thefts. As a consequence of their notorious burglaries, Pink Panthers have left a lasting impression on crime histories.
Since the year 1999, the gang has stolen jewelry worth €334 million in over 380 robberies covering 35 countries. In 2004, they robbed $30 million worth of jewels from a Tokyo shop, making it Japan’s largest jewelry theft.
2. Bill Mason
Bill Mason is an American jewel thief. In his 2004 autobiography, “Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief”, he admits that he recounts his methods and mentions that he has stolen property worth $35,000,000 from private residences and hotel rooms. His targets were Phyllis Diller, Johnny Weissmuller, and Armand Hammer.
In 2007, the second story on the episode “Religious Prey: Greater Ministries Int’l / It Takes a Thief“, of the television series American Greed, covered his confessions and story, along with detailed interviews with Mason himself.
3. Jack Roland Murphy (“Murph the Surf”)
Jack Roland Murphy named himself “Murph the Surf“. He gave this name himself, as he was a surfer and musician, but later became an infamous criminal. At New York’s American Museum of Natural History in 1964, he stole a 563-carat sapphire (Star of India).
During that time period, Jack was linked to several other crimes. By 1967, he received a life sentence for murder, followed by another life sentence in 1970 for murdering someone.
4. N. William Nesbit
N. William Nesbit was a 1930s jewel thief, born in Marshalltown, Iowa. In December 1936, thief Harold Baker was killed by him in a gunpowder explosion in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, near Sioux Falls. He was arrested in 1937, later convicted on May 28, 1937, to life imprisonment.
Furthermore, on 18 February 1946, he was sentenced to 20 years’ incarceration. By March 1950, he appeared on the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives list. He then got arrested in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He died in Sioux City on August 6, 1983, due to a prolonged illness.
5. Leonardo Notarbartolo
None other than the Italian Heist artist named Leonardo Notarbartolo, who was the mastermind behind the largest diamond thefts in Antwerp Diamond Heist. He performed the robbery along with the help of his team, and they robbed by bypassing the multiple layers of security.
Eventually, walking away with millions worth. By 2005, Notarbartolo was sentenced to be imprisoned for 10 years by the court of appeal of Antwerp for being accused of the heist. Later on, he was released on parole in 2009. But, then again, caught up in 2013. The reason for getting arrested again was for breaching the conditions of parole. Along with that, he served the rest of his sentence till 2017.
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The majority of the stolen diamonds were considered recoverable, adding to the intrigue and mystery surrounding the heist. The book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History” by Scott Andrew Selby and Greg Campbell provides you with a more detailed exploration of the heist and the role of Notarbartolo in that.
6. Doris Payne
Doris Payne was an American Convicted Jewel thief who charmingly robbed jewelry stores. The robbing was of millions worth of jewels, with a career spanning over six decades.
The stealing of a 10-carat diamond ring happened in 1970, which even made Doris popular in Monte Carlo. This ring was worth $500,000. Although she has an extensive criminal history, yet evaded lengthy prison sentences and later became a cultural icon.
A documentary based on her life, entitled ‘The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne (2013)‘, showcases the details about many of her crimes. It covers the details ranging from the earliest burglaries in her youth to age 80.
7. Vincenzo Pipino
Vincenzo Pipino was an expert in art and jewelry heists. He became the first thief to steal a painting from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. He used his deep knowledge regarding Venice’s canals and architecture in order to aid his criminal endeavors.
During his lifetime, there were over 3,000 thefts that he committed at museums, galleries, banks, and private residences. Also, a record of 50 thefts of jewelry shops, and the theft of gold in thousands of kilograms throughout Europe.
8. Gerald Blanchard
Gerald Blanchard was from Canada having a criminal mastermind who orchestrated complex heists across three continents. He earned a reputation in later years as the most famous jewel thief among the famous globally.
He stole Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria’s diamond and pearl hair ornament, named the “Star of Empress Sisi“. This was a daring heist executed by him at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace in the year 1998.
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Hulu documentary that came in 2023, made Blanchard its subject. It was called The Jewel Thief. This documentary is based on his entire criminal career and his heists ranging from shoplifting to the theft of a royal crown jewel. Gerald Blanchard’s story is a striking example of cunning in the crime world.
The criminal activities done by Blanchard were beyond any jewel thefts. His heists and frauds clearly demonstrated the high level of meticulous planning and technical expertise he has.
9. Larry Lawton
There was a time when Larry was America’s most famous jewel thief, who committed multiple jewelry heists along the Atlantic Seaboard. He got arrested by the year 1996 and was imprisoned for 11 years in a federal prison. Therefore, he decided to reform his life.
He is now an advocate for prison reform, an author, and a motivational speaker as well. Gangster Redemption is his autobiography, which is co-written with Peter Goldenbock. The transformation from criminal life to one of change and purpose is shared in it.
10. The De Beers Robbery Gang
A robbery gang known as the De Beers Robbery Gang attempted a heist in 2000 at London’s Millennium Dome. They targeted the exhibition of De Beers diamonds. A flawless 203.04–carat diamond (Millennium Star) was their motive to steal. This diamond is valued at £200 million, along with blue diamonds.
One of the most daring heists that this gang did was at the De Beers diamond facility. This robbery case was a standout in jewel theft history due to their coordination and precision. It was one of the notable robberies of diamonds.
Conclusion
The subject of jewel theft is both intriguing and illegal. The individuals and groups mentioned here have left an impression on criminal history. The daring exploits of these famous jewel thieves have inspired countless books and films, keeping their stories alive. Their heists remind us of the need to protect our treasures.
Each story is a mix of brilliance and risk, showing how greed and ambition can drive people to extraordinary extremes. Their involvement in high-stakes heists made them legendary, famous jewel thieves.
