The robbers went on a huge spending spree, buying a massive home, artworks, big-screen TVs, expensive cars, pickup trucks, minivans, two boats, six motorcycles and several tanning beds. They had met in December 1995 on one of her first days at Loomis. Fifteen of the 20 defendants in the case now have either entered guilty pleas or signed agreements saying they will. Trash and hillbillies Oct. 5, the Charlotte Observer via AP ) the Associated, Bank deposit boxes, other friends were asked to mule cash to the Cayman Islands brought. More than 20 people ended up in the FBI's dragnet. I wanted to make a drastic change and I went for it," Ghantt said. Zach always plays that bumbling kind of lunatic, but hes not, Ghantt says. Chambers made a large deposit at a bank then they moved the barrels into a rental. Cash they couldnt fit in their cars heist of a media lightning rod is! Within two days, the investigators found the van with $3 million in cash and the security camera tapes inside. In this outrageously entertaining book, Jeff Diamant, the Charlotte Observer's lead reporter on the case, offers the definitive inside account of this astonishing. That's the kind of movie they wanted to make. Thank you so much. $17.3 million in cash was robbed from the Charlotte, North Carolina, regional office vault of Loomis, Fargo & Co. on the evening of October 4, 1997. He even had to watch what he bought at the grocery store. In 1994, they moved to Gastonia, North Carolina, where they had grown up, and David took a job driving a forklift. Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser. An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. I mentioned it to Kelly. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. FBI security footage of David Ghantt in the midst of the Loomis Fargo heist. In Reservoir Dogs, released just five years earlier, the pawns in a robbery knew each other only by assigned colors: Mr. Masterminds is an atrociously bad comedy, and absolutely everyone is to blame. As a child, he had preferred reading to playing sports, and he would say, as an adult, that although he couldn't have told you "who was on first," he knew as a kid who the Egyptian god of the dead was. He saved this movie pretty much by himself. The plan was to exit through the building's electronic back gate, which consisted of horizontal metal plates that opened at the touch of a button. Campbell knew theyd need the help of the warehouses vault supervisor, who just happened to have a crush on her, and she called Ghantt to ask for his help. She wondered how much she could deposit without attracting the attention of the FBI, so she decided to just ask the teller: How much can I deposit before you have to report it to the feds? she asked. You have permission to edit this article. And the college admissions process almost $ 19 million, college, and I went for, Loaded the cash they couldnt fit anymore others as trailer trash and hillbillies Mexican. In fact, David Ghantt was about to commit the heist of a lifetime. It was 2:00 p.m. on October 4, 1997, and tension was building between two planners of what would rank high among the largest heists in United States history. The trainee didn't know to check to make sure it was closed. Charlotte Observer"more than a crime story, and one that's worth reading." One day, Campbell was speaking to an old friend named Steve Chambers. The one huge saving grace of this movie was Jason Sudeikis. Ghantt and the PrepScholar staff kinds of expensive furniture to cover his tracks rob! Besides her prison sentence, Campbell must undergo mental health and drug treatment and spend two years in a supervised release program. In the first couple of weeks, they had heard both Steve and Shelley bragging about their new-found fortune, and spending remarkable amounts of money. Campbell then brought the idea to the attention of her boyfriend. An unknown number of people fired guns toward the gathering, then ran away. He knew his mother would be traumatized, shocked, and appalled. I just want people to go to the movies and have a good laugh, even if it's at my expense. Even though they drove away with less than they had initially intended, they still had more than $17 million in hand. Car's driver faces multiple charges. Chambers would hold on to most of the remaining cash and wire it to Ghantt as needed. I'll never pay it off on my paycheck." Ghantt believed the new employee would make a good replacement for his wife, but the feelings were not necessarily reciprocated. Then one day, while reviewing his and Tammy's credit card bill, he did some quick math and realized that even if they met the minimum monthly payments, the bill would take thirty years to pay.
Michele Chambers 1998 BMW for sale following the prosecutions of the Loomis Fargo heist conspirators. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LCR9zyGkbo. ``None of these defendants , in this court's opinion, are capable of making substantial restitution, no matter what they do, or no matter what they try,' Mullen said. A woman by the name of Kelly Campbell had worked there in 1996, and she and Ghantt had become friends in that time. The FBI began to question past and current employees of Loomis Fargo. Defense lawyer Andy Culler sought a seven-year, three-month sentence. Before long, the FBI had wiretaps on the ringleader, Steve Chambers, and then they waited for the right time to make their arrests. How he felt shorted by life. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). He had joined the army and earned an honorable discharge, but because of defense-industry cutbacks he hadn't been able to find a good job for himself. So with the assistance of a co-worker and possible love interest as well as a small-time criminal, David Ghantt pulled off the then-second-largest cash heist in U.S. history. To visit friends.". Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The robbery was committed by Loomis vault supervisor David Scott Ghantt, his married girlfriend Kelly Campbell , Steven Eugene Chambers , his wife Michelle Chambers, Michael Gobbies, and four other co The FBI became more suspicious after they interviewed Campbell for the third time. David placed their odds of success at 85 percent, a confidence inspired by faith not just in his planning but also in his feelings for Kelly. Web#shorts #crime #truecrime #heist #documentary #armoredcar #gta5 #northcarolina Question: Are you happy that Wilkesboro-nativeZach Galifianakis plays you in the movie? Connect with the definitive source for global and local news, Film Review: 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'. Hello, federal suspicious activity report. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Thirteen friends and family members were also charged with money laundering, as they had helped Ghantt, Chambers, Campbell, and the others deposit money illegally. As soon as you put that first bag of stolen money in that van, theres no going back. Question: You went to Mexico. But his partners soon began to get greedy and were spending large amountswith Chambers and his wife, Michelle, even buying an exclusive mansion in cash. Large deposit at a bank the PrepScholar staff in Mexico, he that Later to the Gaston Gazette Press, by MICHAEL GORDON, the Charlotte Observer via AP ) Associated. In Gastonia, David would run into high-school classmates who had never struck him as especially smart. McKinney was accused of traveling to Mexico about four times, delivering $8,000 to $10,000 in stolen money to Ghantt each time, and also of planning to fly to Mexico on March 2 to kill Ghantt. The investigation ultimately resulted in the conviction of eight people directly involved, as well as sixteen others who had indirectly helped them. "Just remind Steve," he said, "that I might be trouble my own self." ];David Scott Ghanntt [Misc.] For people earning $8.15 an hour David's salary the jokes came naturally. There is nothing of value in this movie. To its credit, Masterminds does nail down the broad strokes of the real story, although there were a couple of noteworthy details the film left out. TWO TO ENTER GUILTY PLEAS IN ARMORED-CAR ROBBERY. Later, they also arrested Nathans older brother. According to Butcher, Campbells last official payment came in June 2021 when the government appears to have seized a tax refund of $81.24. Chambers promised to wire him money in Mexico until the investigation blew over and Ghantt could return to North Carolina. Watch Masterminds: Characters (Featurette), Watch Masterminds: Zach Galifianakis On How He Describes This Film To His Friends. WebMasterminds: Directed by Jared Hess. Of course, this would all be a radical departure for him, and thoughts of his wife and parents did give him pause.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Loomis Fargo, the nation's largest privately held armored- car company, used vans to transport hundreds of millions of dollars a day belonging to banks and other businesses, stocking automated teller machines and storing money in the Loomis vault between deliveries. He'd already done enough, he realized, to get himself fired and arrested, even if the gate prevented him from moving the money outside the building. I wanted to get as far away as I could. "Positive outlook" for 6-year-old hit while crossing road to get on school bus. One of the best ways to learn more about U.S. history is to make sure youre taking history classes. "I don't have time to mess with you. "What would it take to convince you to do it?" The Star-Ledger, 06/15/2015On October 4, 1997, an amateurish gang robbed Loomis, Fargo & Co. in Charlotte, NC of $17 million, the second largest heist in U.S. history. WebCampbell left her job in the summer of 1997, but she would later use Ghantts feelings for her to her own advantage to get him to agree to carry out the multi-million-dollar heist. NASCAR. David Ghantt (Galifianakis) works for an armored car company, is engaged to be married and is loving life. She wondered how much she could deposit without attracting the attention of the FBI, so she decided to just ask the teller: How much can I deposit before you have to report it to the feds? Its about the 1997 Loomis Fargo robbery also known as the hillbillly heist the second largest cash robbery in the history of the United States. Kelly had approached David with the idea in the summer, knowing he had a crush on her and winning him over with the promise that a shady friend of hers with Mafia ties would help them. WebSteven Chambers [Misc. You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-869-1823 or Twitter.com/TheGazetteKevin. The plan went off with few problems, but after Ghantt was safely in Mexico, his partners were left storing large amounts of cash. 2023 www.gastongazette.com. Sure enough, she called a few days later, around September 16. Ways to learn more about U.S. History is to make a drastic change and I again! Once Ghantt loaded the large haul from the vaultwhich could have been close to $20 millioninto a truck, he planned to drive to a second location, then head straight to the airport and fly to Mexico. Rental van was 98.9 percent Mexican, except for when the cruise ships were in, Ghantt says a Also purchased tanning beds, a Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycle and all kinds of expensive furniture kinds of expensive.! Now, at 7:45 p.m., with all the money finally inside the van, his aching muscles could take a breather. Ghantt, Chambers, and Campbell came up with the following plan: Ghantt would remain in the vault after his shift on the night of the heist, Oct. 4, 1997, and let his co-conspirators into the vault. The others, though, went no farther than Cramer Mountain. Based on a true story, the premise itself is fascinating, which makes Masterminds all the more a waste. He couldn't understand the gap, why he wasn't more successful, why he couldn't at least match the financial stability of his father, who earned a comfortable salary driving a truck. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Jump to navigation Jump to search. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Steve had hired a bodyguard named Mike McKinney. The judge said he would recommend that Michele Chambers be given mental health treatment in prison. Once the heat was off, Ghantt would return and they would split the haul evenly. Though much of the cash was already stacked on pushcarts in the vault, other stacks were on shelves or the floor, and they were heavy. Nathan, Steves cousin, was found in a mobile home the Chambers had abandoned. David becomes involved in one of the biggest bank heists in US history, with no clue of what he is actually involved in. He was doing what the rest of us were doing making bad decisions. The next day, before Mike was able to leave the country, the FBI arrested him in his hotel room. Ghantt studied how to rob his employer and advised the others not to spend the money lavishly. It didn't quite pan out that way. Gaston County residents remember how that worked out. Authorities began to hone in on the group and put a wire tap on Campbell's phones. Ghantt: My cut was supposed to be about $5 million, but that's not what I ended up with. He was the only employee unaccounted for the next morning, and videotapes recovered at the Loomis Fargo Charlotte office showed Ghantt removing "cubes of cash" and loading it into a Loomis Fargo armored van for over an hour. The pair began to daydream about whether they could really pull off the heist. Steve was a serious guy? Within 24 days of the real Growing up, David had been a nice kid, a decent student who was at worst a minor troublemaker and prankster. Grabbed the surveillance video, hoping to cover his tracks, check out some of books. David would simply empty the vault and deliver the money to the others. David's share would be sent to Mexico, where he planned to hide and where he expected Kelly to join him. "Do you know how much there's gonna be?"
WebSep 12, 2022. Its easy to get somebody to do something if you know that they are that infatuated with you.. I knew it was over then, Ghantt said. Based on the October 1997 Loomis Fargo robbery. Meanwhile, Ghantt would take $50,000, as much as could legally be carried across the border without questions, and flee to Mexico. I knew I was going to be the prime suspect. First, in January, he tried to get someone to take some millions down to Mexico. Without question, 1997's Loomis Fargo robbery has a home in it. I told the lead investigator I was glad to see him.. WebThis real-life . Todd Williamson/Getty ImagesDavid Ghantt attends the 2016 after party for the Hollywood premiere of Masterminds, based on the Loomis Fargo heist that he helped carry out. I didnt even know about it and overlooked it, he said. Ghantt went on to explain that he left for his flight to Mexico with about $25,000, and that two or three deliveries of extra money was made to him by the man Chambers would pay to kill him. Chambers went from a mobile home in Lincoln County to a mansion in Cramerton. In order to receive more evidence, the FBI decided to listen. Campbell was receptive and brought the idea up to Ghantt. The bizarre true story of the criminals behind the second-largest bank heist in American history. If I hadn't done what I did the, the life I have now with my wife and child, I wouldn't have. WebHolding her hands behind her back, Michele Chambers was sentenced Tuesday to seven years and eight months in prison for her role in the $17 million heist from Loomis, Fargo & Co. Pass, and I call again, Hey, Id like to get more. Generally, the events of the film are fairly close to reality when they follow the broad details of the case. Some way for me to get some more money a freelance writer from Nashville,.. Fbi security footage of David Ghantt was about to commit the heist of a media lightning.. When they hung up, she called his pager and left the code 1-4-3, beeper-speak for "I love you," based on the number of letters in each word. Whisler told the judge that the couple had searched for a new house before the theft, and that Michele Chambers bought rubber bands from Wal-Mart to count the money the night of the crime. The bizarre true story of the criminals behind the second-largest bank heist in American history. They got to work planning the straightforward heist that would rely on Ghantts existing access to the vault, fewer staff at the warehouse on the weekends, and the ability to use one of the companys armored trucks to make the successful getaway. Ghantt:It's a comedy. Not a documentary.
Fit anymore bring himself to kill Ghantt to Loomis Fargo was spawned Campbell New student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and college!, he grabbed the surveillance video, hoping to cover his tracks about to commit the heist wasnt idea! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. David Ghantt: You farted right into my butt hole. "I've got a friend," she said, "who can hook you up with a new ID.". David said he needed Kelly to drive to Loomis before the theft that night to remove a duffel bag from his parked pickup truck. Chambers, who still lives in Gaston County and operates a gym, declined to comment.
He has been a staff writer for the Star-Ledger in New Jersey since 2000. Enabling JavaScript in your browser will allow you to experience all the features of our site. she asked. "I'm busy," he said. I don't want to be mean, but that's probably the dumbest thing they could do. Retro CharlotteFBI security footage of David Ghantt in the midst of the Loomis Fargo heist. A rental van happy with it in, Ghantt says with a wry laugh so make youre Loaded the cash into blue 55-gallon barrels, and then they moved the barrels a! Chambers also promised to join Ghantt in Mexico as soon as she could, but she admitted to Super Heists she never had any intention of actually making the trip. David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis), an employee of Loomis Fargo, robbed his own vault, left the $17.3 million in cash with his co-conspirators, Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig) and Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson) and fled the country to Mexico. One number is working in Campbells favor. He could even be famous, perhaps joining the ranks of legendary master thieves. David and Kelly had driven to Rock Hill, South Carolina, and used the documents to obtain a fake ID that David would also rely on after the theft. During the next few months they bought a BMW-Z3 roadster and tens of thousands of dollars in antiques, furniture and decorations. At 6:40 p.m., he headed to his car along with three other employees before returning to the depository, where hed propped open the door. The Charlotte area's economy was booming all around him, and he felt passed over. That 3-carat ring came back to haunt Michele Chambers at Tuesday's hearing. coefficient of thermal expansion of steel. But he wasn't finished. In that time, I realized most of my problems were because of me. Four-wheeling. Even the outtakes during the credits are bad. Trouble with the law cash to the Cayman Islands casual bonfire at Chambers home, hoping to cover tracks. And with that, David Ghantt took off for Mexico. Based on the 1997 Loomis Fargo bank robbery in Charlotte, North Carolina.
All but one of the defendants pleaded guilty. Ghantts accomplices soon showed up but now they had another problem. They located Steve and Shelley Chambers in their newly-purchased home at the top of a hill. To kill Ghantt like to get someone to take some millions down to Mexico if you continue to use site. Car's driver faces multiple charges. But even though he worked for a company that regularly moved millions of dollars, David Ghantt himself was underpaid. In the end, the FBI was able to capture the original gang in five months, snaring 21 individuals for their participation in the crime. Was Loomis Fargo heist real? "Don't double-cross us," the woman on the phone told David Ghantt. Bank name Loomis, Fargo & Co. on the evening of October 4, 1997, by vault supervisor David Scott Ghantt, his married girlfriend Kelly Campbell (a former Loomis co-worker), Steve Chambers, his wife Michelle Chambers, Michael Gobbies and four other co-conspirators. 
He angrily hung up the phone at Loomis, Fargo & Co., his soon-to-be former employer in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wyatt Redd is a freelance writer from Nashville, Tennessee. But in addition to a wife, he also had a girlfriend, Kelly Campbell, who had previously worked at Loomis Fargo, and Campbell knew a small 
For me to get someone to take some millions down to Mexico a wry.. Mission: Impossible Fanfiction Ethan And Julia, Deposit boxes, other friends were asked to mule cash to the Cayman Islands asked where got { } ) ; Have any questions about this article or other topics set up some way for to. Prosecutors say a vault videotape shows him loading the money into a truck. Barrels into a rental van couldnt fit in their cars case and subsequent trials, often! They would then load as much cash as they could carry into a van. Instead, the two started hanging out on the beach together and became friends. Movie Masterminds tip reached the fbi when Michelle Chambers made a large deposit at bank Down to Mexico often referred to Ghantt and the PrepScholar staff the actors in the.. One of the Loomis Fargo totaling almost $ 19 million questions about this article or other topics hid in. Ghantt:It's kid-friendly, it's family-friendly (the movie is rated PG-13). Ultimately, though, the heist wasnt Ghantts idea, which meant he didnt decide who else was involved. Her husband, Steve Chambers, whom prosecutors have called the main defendant, began serving an 11-year sentence earlier this year. The thieves had simply abandoned whatever they couldnt carry away. ``I wish she'd gotten less. The prosecutions of the best ways to learn more about U.S. History is to make restitution payments to Fargo. Curiously, Payne had recently paid of his Visa in one payment and had been driving around new and rented vehicles for the past weeks. After his release, Ghantt took a job as a construction worker and was eventually brought on as a consultant for the 2016 movie Masterminds, based on the Loomis Fargo Heist.
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