3. The Knightsbridge Security Deposit Robbery
Stolen: $97 million
Valerio Viccei, who was sought in Italy for more than 50 armed robberies, almost pulled off the ultimate heist in London in 1987.
He and a colleague went into a bank and inquired about renting a safe deposit box. The men drew guns and overpowered the bank manager and guards when they were shown to the vault.
They let some buddies in after posting a “closed” sign on a bank door, broke into as many safe deposit boxes as possible, and made off with millions in cash and belongings.
Viccei fled to South America, but when he returned to England to move his Ferrari to his new home, he was apprehended.