The Loomis Fargo Robbery: A Notorious Heist That Shook Charlotte
The Loomis Fargo robbery, one of the most notorious heists in American history, took place on October 4, 1997, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The audacious crime involved the theft of a staggering $17.3 million in cash from the Loomis Fargo regional office vault. This article delves into the details of the robbery, the main perpetrators involved, the subsequent investigation, and the aftermath.
Key Facts
- The Loomis Fargo robbery took place on October 4, 1997, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- The robbery involved the theft of $17.3 million in cash from the Loomis Fargo regional office vault.
- The main perpetrator of the robbery was David Scott Ghantt, who was a vault supervisor at Loomis Fargo.
- Ghantt had accomplices in the robbery, including his married girlfriend Kelly Campbell, Steven Eugene Chambers, his wife Michelle Chambers, Michael Gobbies, and four other co-conspirators.
- The robbery was the second-largest cash robbery on U.S. soil at the time.
- The stolen money was primarily in $20 bills, with approximately $11 million in this denomination.
- After the robbery, Ghantt fled to Mexico with $50,000, while the rest of the cash was left with Chambers.
- The FBI launched an investigation into the robbery, considering Ghantt as the prime suspect.
- The FBI was able to connect Ghantt to Chambers through recorded phone calls and discovered Chambers had plotted to have Ghantt killed.
- The FBI arrested Ghantt in Mexico on March 1, 1998, and subsequently arrested the other co-conspirators.
- The investigation led to the recovery of approximately 88% of the stolen money.
- Ghantt served seven years in prison and was fined $26,000.
- The Loomis Fargo robbery was the subject of the book “Heist!: The $17 Million Loomis Fargo Theft” by Jeff Diamant.
The mastermind behind the Loomis Fargo robbery was David Scott Ghantt, who held the position of vault supervisor at Loomis Fargo. Ghantt conspired with several accomplices, including his married girlfriend Kelly Campbell, Steven Eugene Chambers, his wife Michelle Chambers, Michael Gobbies, and four other co-conspirators. Together, they meticulously planned and executed the heist, aiming to make off with a vast sum of money.
On the fateful day, the robbers successfully stole $17.3 million in cash from the Loomis Fargo vault. The stolen money was primarily in $20 bills, with approximately $11 million in this denomination. After carrying out the robbery, Ghantt fled to Mexico with $50,000, while the bulk of the cash was left with Chambers, who was to distribute it among the co-conspirators at a later time.
The Loomis Fargo robbery quickly gained national attention due to its scale and audacity. At the time, it was the second-largest cash robbery on U.S. soil, only surpassed by another Loomis Fargo robbery that occurred seven months prior in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an extensive investigation into the robbery, with David Scott Ghantt identified as the prime suspect. The FBI was able to connect Ghantt to Chambers through recorded phone calls, revealing Chambers’ involvement in the heist and his plot to have Ghantt killed. The investigation gradually unfolded, leading to the arrest of Ghantt in Mexico on March 1, 1998, and subsequently apprehending the other co-conspirators.
The diligent efforts of law enforcement and investigators resulted in the recovery of approximately 88% of the stolen money. The successful recovery was a significant achievement considering the magnitude of the heist.
David Scott Ghantt was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the Loomis Fargo robbery. In addition to his prison term, he was also fined $26,000 for his participation in the crime. The other co-conspirators likewise faced legal consequences for their actions.
The Loomis Fargo robbery captivated the public’s imagination and has since been the subject of various media adaptations. The book titled “Heist!: The $17 Million Loomis Fargo Theft” by Jeff Diamant delves into the intricacies of the crime, providing a detailed account of the planning, execution, and aftermath of the heist.
In conclusion, the Loomis Fargo robbery stands as a testament to the audacity and ingenuity of criminals. It remains an infamous event in American criminal history, forever etched in the annals of Charlotte and the nation.
FAQs
Who was responsible for the Loomis Fargo robbery?
The main perpetrator of the Loomis Fargo robbery was David Scott Ghantt, who worked as a vault supervisor at Loomis Fargo. He orchestrated the heist and had accomplices who assisted him in executing the crime.
What was the total amount stolen in the Loomis Fargo robbery?
The Loomis Fargo robbery involved the theft of $17.3 million in cash from the Loomis Fargo regional office vault. The stolen money consisted primarily of $20 bills, with approximately $11 million in this denomination.
Who were the accomplices in the Loomis Fargo robbery?
David Scott Ghantt, the mastermind of the heist, had several accomplices in the Loomis Fargo robbery. They included his married girlfriend Kelly Campbell, Steven Eugene Chambers, his wife Michelle Chambers, Michael Gobbies, and four other co-conspirators.
Was the stolen money recovered?
Yes, the investigation into the Loomis Fargo robbery led to the recovery of approximately 88% of the stolen money. Law enforcement agencies were successful in locating and retrieving a significant portion of the stolen cash.
What happened to the individuals involved in the Loomis Fargo robbery?
David Scott Ghantt, the mastermind of the Loomis Fargo robbery, was apprehended in Mexico and sentenced to seven years in prison. He was also fined $26,000. The other co-conspirators involved in the heist also faced legal consequences for their roles in the crime.