4 ms·

If anyone can find a good book about this (heavy on detail, not just a single anecdotal heist story), I'd love to hear about it. In fact, I'd love even more som

by tw1010 8y ago

If anyone can find a good book about this (heavy on detail, not just a single anecdotal heist story), I'd love to hear about it. In fact, I'd love even more something super academical and theoretical. Sounds like an interesting change of pace.

justaguyhere 8y ago
I read about a Canadian thief, who was exceptionally good (can't remember his name now). He stole some priceless stuff, and just kept them in his basement. He did it for the thrill (one of the details I remember - he parachuted into a heavily guarded museum). He only got caught because of his arrogance. Not saying these guys are thrill seekers, but apparently there are people who do it just for "fun" and don't care about selling their loot.
- nervousvarun 8y ago
  Gerald Blanchard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Blanchard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Blanchard https://www.wired.com/2010/03/ff_masterthief_blanchard/ https://www.wired.com/2010/03/ff_masterthief_blanchard/
  - goldenkey 8y ago
    > "On March 22, 2017, Blanchard was arrested in Burlington, Ontario for stealing electronics from a local Best Buy. [5]" You can't make this stuff up..
    - wahern 8y ago
      2004 break leading to original conviction: "Seeing a dolly and other odd equipment inside, he took down the license plate number. Police ran it. The vehicle had been rented from Avis by one Gerald Daniel Blanchard." 2017 arrest: "[O]fficers used video surveillance footage of the parking lot and traced the suspect’s licence plate to a car rented in Blanchard’s name." Being a successful, repeat criminal must be so exhausting. Before the 2004 incident the guy already had several fake identities he presumably could have used. I guess there's no end to how much effort you can put into covering your tracks and eventually you just have to roll the dice.
- Luc 8y ago
  > he parachuted into a heavily guarded museum Totally made up story uncritically relayed by the interviewing ‘journalist’, mind you.
  - wahern 8y ago
    Authorities found a parachute on the palace grounds hours after the heist. Perhaps subterfuge, but not unbelievable given how he undertook other heists--e.g. installing false ductwork in banks.

by tw1010 8y ago

justaguyhere 8y ago

I read about a Canadian thief, who was exceptionally good (can't remember his name now). He stole some priceless stuff, and just kept them in his basement. He did it for the thrill (one of the details I remember - he parachuted into a heavily guarded museum). He only got caught because of his arrogance. Not saying these guys are thrill seekers, but apparently there are people who do it just for "fun" and don't care about selling their loot.

nervousvarun 8y ago
Gerald Blanchard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Blanchard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Blanchard https://www.wired.com/2010/03/ff_masterthief_blanchard/ https://www.wired.com/2010/03/ff_masterthief_blanchard/
- goldenkey 8y ago
  > "On March 22, 2017, Blanchard was arrested in Burlington, Ontario for stealing electronics from a local Best Buy. [5]" You can't make this stuff up..
  - wahern 8y ago
    2004 break leading to original conviction: "Seeing a dolly and other odd equipment inside, he took down the license plate number. Police ran it. The vehicle had been rented from Avis by one Gerald Daniel Blanchard." 2017 arrest: "[O]fficers used video surveillance footage of the parking lot and traced the suspect’s licence plate to a car rented in Blanchard’s name." Being a successful, repeat criminal must be so exhausting. Before the 2004 incident the guy already had several fake identities he presumably could have used. I guess there's no end to how much effort you can put into covering your tracks and eventually you just have to roll the dice.
Luc 8y ago
> he parachuted into a heavily guarded museum Totally made up story uncritically relayed by the interviewing ‘journalist’, mind you.
- wahern 8y ago
  Authorities found a parachute on the palace grounds hours after the heist. Perhaps subterfuge, but not unbelievable given how he undertook other heists--e.g. installing false ductwork in banks.