The Antwerp Diamond Heist: The Perfect Crime of the Century

Over the weekend of February 15-16, 2003, a team of thieves executed what's been called "the heist of the century," stealing over $100 million from the Antwerp Diamond Center's vault.

THE TARGET: The Antwerp Diamond Center was one of the world's most secure facilities with 10 layers of security including heat, motion, and light sensors.

THE MASTERMIND: Leonardo Notarbartolo spent three years preparing, renting an office in the Diamond Center and studying security systems daily.

THE TEAM:

• Leonardo Notarbartolo: Leader
• "Speedy": Safe cracker
• "The Monster": Electronics specialist
• "The King of Keys": Lock picker
• "The Genius": Security systems expert

THE HEIST: They spray-painted security cameras, disabled motion and heat detectors, and used a replica key for vault entrance. They had 60 hours before anyone would notice.

THE LOOT: From 123 safe deposit boxes:

• Loose diamonds worth tens of millions
• Jewelry and gold
• Cash
• Official estimates: Over $100 million

THE MISTAKE: Notarbartolo discarded evidence in the woods near his home including receipts with his name and half-eaten sandwiches with his DNA.

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