Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography, & More The Loomis Fargo Heist
Feb 20, 2026
A brazen $17.3 million vault theft in 1997 and the bungled plan behind it. How sudden wealth, flashy spending, and sloppy mistakes led investigators straight to the perpetrators. The chase across borders, intercepted plots, and the surprising trail of recovered cash and missing millions.
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Vault Supervisor Stole Millions
- David Gant, a Loomis Fargo vault supervisor, planned and executed the theft by loading over 1.5 tons of cash into a company van on October 4, 1997.
- He removed security tapes and escaped through the front gate before meeting co-conspirators to split the money at a printing business.
Small Mistakes Destroyed The Plan
- The robbers overlooked a third camera and left millions in the van, creating immediate evidence that pointed to perpetrators.
- Small operational oversights rapidly turned a huge theft into a quickly solvable crime.
Panic Left Millions Behind
- While splitting cash at a printing business, the conspirators panicked and left about $3 million, the gun, and stolen tapes in the van.
- The prolonged packing and hasty stashing of money created recoverable evidence for investigators.