How 11 Thieves Pulled Off the Largest Robbery in US History

On a chilly night in January 1950, a group of 11 men executed what was, at the time, the largest and most infamous robbery in U.S. history. Their target was the Brink's^® Armored Car depot in Boston, where they made off with over $2.7 million. Dubbed the "Crime of the Century," this heist captivated the nation and stumped investigators for six years. But what made this robbery so extraordinary, and how did the criminals evade capture for so long?

The Heist That Shocked America

The mastermind behind the Brink's robbery was Anthony "Fats" Pino, a seasoned criminal with a knack for meticulous planning. Over the course of 18 months, Pino and his crew studied every detail of the Brink's depot in Boston, from its security protocols to the timing of cash deliveries.

They even managed to steal and return the plans for the depot's alarm system without being noticed. When the night of the robbery came, the team was prepared.

Dressed in uniforms similar to those of Brink's employees and wearing rubber masks, the robbers used copied keys to enter the depot. Inside, they swiftly overpowered and tied up the workers before filling 14 canvas bags with cash, checks, and money orders. Weighing in at over half a ton, the loot totaled more than $2.7 million — an astonishing sum at the time.

6 Years of Silence

The robbers had left behind few clues, making the investigation an uphill battle for authorities. However, their downfall was rooted in their pact to remain silent and avoid spending any of the stolen money until the statute of limitations expired. Unfortunately for the gang, human nature and greed set in, leading to their eventual capture.

Joseph "Specs" O'Keefe, one of the robbers, found himself in jail on unrelated charges shortly after the heist. Frustrated by his lack of access to the stolen money, he started sending threatening letters to his fellow criminals, hinting that he might turn them in. This led to a failed assassination attempt on O'Keefe, who then decided to cooperate with the FBI in exchange for protection.

Cracking the Case

O'Keefe's betrayal opened the floodgates for investigators. Over the course of six years, the FBI had tirelessly followed hundreds of leads, many of which led to dead ends. It wasn't until O'Keefe began naming names that the pieces of the puzzle finally came together. By January 1956, just days before the statute of limitations was set to expire, eight of the robbers were arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Two more gang members had died before they could stand trial, and only a fraction of the stolen money was ever recovered.

The Enduring Intrigue of the Brink's Robbery

The 1950 Brink's robbery remains one of the most legendary crimes in American history, inspiring several films and countless retellings. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, much of the money taken that night has never been found, adding an air of mystery to the crime. The story of the Brink's robbery shines with the allure of the perfect crime, but reality reminds us that few secrets can stay hidden forever.

References: 1950- Boston thieves pull off historic Brink's robbery | A Bank Robbery 74 Years Ago Baffled Investigators for Years - Until One of the Thieves Turned on the Others