10 Strangest Things Ever Stolen
Ever heard of someone stealing the Eiffel Tower? Well, that might be the only thing left off this list! When it comes to theft, some criminals really go above and beyond — sometimes way above and beyond. From sneaky heists of sandy beaches to the bold swiping of an entire bridge, the world has seen some truly bizarre burglaries. If you think stealing a wallet is gutsy, wait until you hear about these audacious crooks who made off with some of the most unusual — and downright strange — things you could ever imagine. Buckle up because this is one wild ride through the world of peculiar pilfering!
1. The Empire State Building
In 2008, journalists from The New York Daily News exposed a loophole in New York City's property deed system by successfully "stealing" the Empire State Building. The reporters filed fake documents, listing absurd details like "King Kong" actress Fay Wray as a witness. Within 90 minutes, the property was transferred to a fictitious company they created. The next day, they returned the building, highlighting the risks posed by the flawed system.
2. A Beach
In 2007 thieves in Jamaica executed a large-scale operation by stealing 500 truckloads of sand from Coral Springs beach. This sand was meant for a resort development, but the theft delayed construction and caused significant financial loss. Despite investigations, the culprits were never caught, and the sand was never recovered.
3. A 10-Ton Bridge
In Khabarovsk Russia, a gang dismantled and stole a 38-foot steel bridge in 2008, likely to sell the metal as scrap. The theft went unnoticed until the entire structure was gone, illustrating the lengths to which metal thieves will go to cash in on valuable scrap.
4. A Glacier
In 2012, a group of thieves in Chile stole five tons of ice from the Jorge Montt Glacier, intending to sell it to upscale bars. The ice was stored in coolers and transported secretly. Authorities eventually apprehended the culprits, drawing attention to the ongoing issue of environmental crimes.
5. Albert Einstein's Brain
After Albert Einstein's death in 1955, the pathologist who performed his autopsy, Thomas Harvey, took Einstein's brain initially without permission and kept it for decades. Pieces were later donated to Mütter Medical Museum in Philadelphia, raising ethical questions about the removal and study of Einstein's brain.
6. An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile® Catalytic Converter
Even the beloved Oscar Mayer Wienermobile isn't safe from the rise in catalytic converter thefts! During a visit to Las Vegas in early 2023, thieves managed to swipe the catalytic converter right off the iconic hot dog-shaped vehicle. The theft, which occurred overnight, left the Wienermobile temporarily sidelined as it awaited repairs. While it's a bummer for the Wienermobile crew, it's also a humorous reminder that no vehicle, not even one shaped like a giant hot dog, is immune to the pesky problem of catalytic converter theft!
7. Venus Flytrap Plants
Poachers in North Carolina stole hundreds of Venus Flytrap plants from a protected area in 2024. These rare plants are highly valued on the black market. Authorities, acting on a tip-off, eventually caught the poachers and recovered the plants.
8. A Tank
In 1995, Shawn Nelson, a former soldier, stole an M60 Patton tank from a National Guard armory in San Diego and went on a 23-minute rampage through the city. Nelson crushed cars and property before the tank got stuck on a concrete barrier, allowing police to stop him. He was shot and killed by officers when he refused to surrender. The incident caused widespread panic and millions of dollars in damage.
9. Nutella® - A Lot of It
In 2013, thieves in Germany stole 5,000 jars of Nutella from a parked trailer. The hazelnut spread was valued at around $20,000. The theft was believed to be part of a series of food heists in the area, but the perpetrators were never caught.
10. A Ski Lift
In 2012, in the town of Desná in the Czech Republic, thieves made off with a ski lift over the course of a weekend. This was no small feat—they managed to steal the entire structure, including three supporting pylons, a pulley system, and over 1 kilometer of cable. The incident remains one of the most audacious and bizarre thefts in ski history. It is believed that the stolen materials were likely sold as scrap metal.
These cases demonstrate the lengths to which some criminals will go to steal the most unusual and valuable items, often with a mix of creativity and audacity that defies belief.
References: Top 10 Incredible Items That Were Stolen | Crazy Kleptomaniacs – 17 Strangest Things Ever Stolen | Venus Flytrap Poachers Arrested in North Carolina | Not Even Oscar Mayer's Wienermobile Is Safe From Catalytic Converter Theft | That Time An Entire Ski Lift Was STOLEN in the Czech Republic… | Venus flytrap poachers accused of stealing hundreds of plants from conservation land | Where's the bridge? The 7 Biggest Things Ever Stolen
