List of Top 10 Cases of Bank Robbery in History

Bank robbery has been a prominent and recurring theme in heist movies and novels for years. The exhilarating thrill of the chase and the high risk involved in stealing money from a well-secured bank has captivated the minds of audiences for decades. However, what we see in movies and read in books is just the tip of the iceberg. History has witnessed some of the most daring, elaborately planned and executed bank heists that have resulted in millions of dollars in stolen cash, and some of the most notorious criminals in history. Despite the best efforts of the authorities, some of these robbers were never caught, making their heists the stuff of legend. In this blog post, we explore the top 10 cases of bank robbery in history. From the daring heist at Banco Central in Brazil to the $9 million heist at the Security Savings Bank in Wichita, we delve into the intricacies and details of these astounding heists, and the brilliant criminal minds behind them.

1. Great Train Robbery of 1963, United Kingdom

The Great Train Robbery of 1963, United Kingdom, is widely regarded as one of the most audacious bank robberies in history. On August 8, 1963, a gang of 15 robbers boarded a Glasgow to London mail train in Buckinghamshire, England. They swiftly overpowered the train driver and made off with ‎£2.6 million in cash (equivalent to over ‎‎£50 million today). The robbery was meticulously planned and executed, with the gang using insider information and sophisticated equipment to disable the train’s communication and signaling systems. The robbers successfully evaded the police for several months before they were eventually caught and brought to justice. The Great Train Robbery of 1963 remains a cultural touchstone, inspiring numerous books, films, and TV shows, and is a cautionary tale of the risks and consequences of indulging in high-stakes criminal activities.

2. Northern Bank Robbery of 2004, Northern Ireland

The Northern Bank Robbery of 2004 in Northern Ireland is considered one of the most audacious and intricate bank heists in history. On December 20th, 2004, a group of masked men entered the headquarters of the Northern Bank in Belfast, tied up employees and stole £26.5 million in cash. The robbery was carried out over the course of a weekend, with careful planning and execution that included the use of sophisticated explosives to access the vault. Despite extensive investigations, no one has been convicted for the crime, and it is believed to have been orchestrated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The Northern Bank Robbery of 2004 served as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland and the delicate nature of peacekeeping efforts in the region.

3. Central Bank Robbery of 2006, Brazil

The Central Bank Robbery of 2006 in Brazil stands as one of the most daring and sophisticated bank heists on record. In this incident, a band of robbers dug a 255-foot tunnel to the Central Bank in Fortaleza, Brazil, and made off with approximately $70 million in cash. The tunnel took months to construct, and the criminals employed a range of effective strategies, including the installation of electric lights, air conditioning, and an elaborate security system to counter potential law enforcement interventions. Despite eventual arrests and convictions, this heist remains a testament to the persistence, bravery, and ingenuity of the criminals involved and stands as a reminder of the need for constant vigilance in the banking industry.

4. Dunbar Armored Robbery of 1997, United States

The Dunbar Armored Robbery of 1997 in the United States is one of the top 10 cases of bank robbery in history. Occurring in Los Angeles, California, the robbery was orchestrated by one of the security guards employed by Dunbar. The guard conspired with a group of accomplices, including his family members and friends, to steal more than $18 million from Dunbar’s cash depot. The robbery involved an elaborate plan that included disabling the security system and stealing numerous hoards of cash over a two-day period. Although the robbers were eventually caught and arrested, only a fraction of the stolen funds were ever recovered. The Dunbar Armored Robbery remains an example of one of the largest and most sophisticated bank heists in history.

5. Security Pacific Bank Robbery of 1972, United States

The Security Pacific Bank Robbery of 1972 in the United States is considered one of the top 10 cases of bank robbery in history. The robbery was carried out by seven members of a radical left-wing group called the United Federated Forces of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). The group had gained notoriety earlier that year for the kidnapping of newspaper heiress Patty Hearst. On April 21, 1972, the group entered the Security Pacific Bank in Ukiah, California, armed with shotguns and grenades. They made off with $85,000 in cash, but not before a violent shootout with law enforcement, during which two SLA members were killed and two officers were injured. The case received widespread media attention and further cemented the SLA’s reputation as a dangerous and violent extremist group.

6. Bank of America Robbery of 1972, United States

The Bank of America Robbery of 1972, United States, is widely considered one of the most significant cases of bank robbery in history. The theft occurred on September 21, 1972, where seven men, including a fake health inspector, entered the bank in California with a plan to steal over $3 million from the vault. The robbers quickly overpowered the on-duty security guards and bound and gagged the bank manager and employees. They then proceeded to break into the safe deposit boxes and ransacked the vault. Their heist was successful, and upon escaping the bank, they fled in a U-Haul truck. The FBI launched a manhunt, which spanned across several countries, eventually leading to arrests, conviction, and recovery of most of the stolen money. This daring bank robbery set a new standard for sophisticated and well-planned theft operations and remains one of the most notable cases of bank robberies in American history.

7. Bank of America Robbery of 1976, United States

The Bank of America robbery of 1976 in the United States is widely regarded as one of the most brazen and ambitious bank heists in the annals of criminal history. This audacious crime involved a heavily armed group of men who stormed into the bank, took several hostages, and made off with over $30 million in cash. The robbers used a variety of tactics to outwit the police and evade capture, including the use of smoke bombs, fake dynamite, and a carefully planned escape route. Despite a massive manhunt and years of investigation, the culprits were never apprehended, making the Bank of America robbery one of the most notorious unsolved crimes in modern times. The impact of this heist on the banking industry, law enforcement agencies, and the public at large cannot be overstated, and it remains a subject of fascination and speculation to this day.

8. Wells Fargo Robbery of 1972, United States

The Wells Fargo robbery of 1972 is widely regarded as one of the most audacious and well-planned bank heists in history. The robbery took place on March 24, 1972, at the United California Bank in Los Angeles, California. The robbers, who were a group of seven men with roots in Ohio, had meticulously planned the heist for a year and had studied the bank’s security systems and procedures in detail. The robbers employed multiple simultaneous entry points, including underground tunnels, and successfully circumvented the bank’s cutting-edge security measures. In the end, they made off with over $10 million in cash, making it the largest cash robbery in US history at the time. The robbers were later apprehended and prosecuted, but the case remains an indelible reminder of the lengths some criminals will go to for ill-gotten gains.

9. Sumitomo Bank Robbery of 1968, Japan

The Sumitomo Bank Robbery of 1968 is considered one of the most significant cases of bank robbery in history and is included in the list of the top 10 cases of bank robbery. The robbery was planned and executed by a group of five men who had meticulously planned the heist for six months prior to its execution. The plan involved using explosives to blast through the bank’s wall, taking the bank employees as hostages and escaping with the money. The robbers managed to steal the equivalent of $307,000 in yen, making it one of the largest bank robberies in Japan’s history at that time. However, the police were able to capture the robbers within a few days, and all five men were subsequently convicted and sentenced to prison. The Sumitomo Bank Robbery of 1968 has become a textbook example of a well-planned and executed heist and is still studied by law enforcement agencies worldwide to enhance their response to such incidents.

10. Bank of Greece Robbery of 2005, Greece

The Bank of Greece Robbery of 2005 is considered to be one of the biggest heists in Greek history and is included in the list of top 10 cases of bank robbery in history. The robbers broke into the bank’s basement, which housed the cash reserves of the bank and proceeded to drill through the concrete wall to gain access to the vault. The robbers succeeded in stealing over €36 million before fleeing the scene in a stolen van. Despite an extensive investigation, the robbers were never caught. The Bank of Greece Robbery of 2005 was a meticulously planned operation that required a great deal of skill and expertise, making it one of the most significant bank robberies in history.

In conclusion, the cases of bank robberies discussed above are just a fraction of the numerous heists that have taken place throughout history. These daring robberies have been immortalized in pop culture and have even inspired some films and TV shows. However, while these stories may seem exciting and mysterious, it’s important to remember that bank robbery is a serious crime and can have dire consequences for both the robbers and the victims. We must hope that law enforcement agencies continue to improve their strategies and technology to prevent future incidents of bank robberies.