What is the story behind the Loomis Fargo heists?
20/08/1998 · Michael McKinney was accused of delivering money to and plotting to kill former Loomis Fargo & Co. employee David Scott Ghantt, who was allegedly filmed stealing the money. Sandra and Dennis Floyd...
What happened to Loomis Fargo&Company?
04/10/2016 · But McKinney never stopped trying to kill Ghantt – although, initally, McKinney thought Chambers had paid for the hit over “a drug deal gone bad,” Diamant said. When McKinney realized Ghantt was...
Who is the prime suspect in the Loomis Fargo Robbery?
14/08/1998 · Michael McKinney, accused of plotting to kill another of the defendants in the case, agreed to plead guilty to money-laundering and conspiracy to murder-for-hire, according to documents filed in...
Where was the 1997 Loomis Fargo bank robbery in Florida?
The next day, David flees to Mexico with $20,000 and takes the cover name "Michael McKinney", which is the name of a friend of Steve's. Meanwhile, Steve takes most of the heist, around $17 million. FBI Special Agent Scanlon ( Leslie Jones ) and her partner ( Jon Daly ) take the case, and immediately have David as the prime suspect , but have no idea of Steve's involvement.
Where is Kelly Campbell today?
Today, Campbell is a supervising independent social worker (LISW-S) – and executive director of The Woodlands Serving Central Ohio, Inc. “My role,” she said, “is to make sure The Woodlands is a place people can come to feel safe and to gain hope for their struggles.14-Feb-2022
How much of Mastermind is real?
In real life: Mostly true. There was in fact a basically similar conversation involving Chambers and Campbell that took place during a barbecue the Campbells were hosting. (The conversation was depicted as 100 percent private on screen).14-Oct-2019
Is masterminds really a true story?
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. But because he still owes millions to the IRS, he couldn't be paid.02-Sept-2018
How long did Kelly Campbell get?
was sentenced Tuesday to nearly six years in prison and ordered to pay back more than $4 million. Kelly Campbell, 29, a former company employee, entered guilty pleas earlier to bank larceny, money laundering and conspiracy to commit murder charges.26-Oct-1999
When did ghantt get out of jail?
The only defendant to not plead guilty, Chambers' attorney Jeff Guller, was found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to eight years in prison. By comparison, Ghantt served seven years in prison and was fined $26,000. He was released in 2006.
Is mastermind scripted?
The show is either fixed, or at least heavily scripted. The little trivia bits, how would you have those ready to go if you didn't know the questions beforehand? Also, the Master Minds never lose.
Has any contestant become a mastermind?
Any contestant that wins the Ultimate Trivia Challenge three times is invited back for future shows to play as an expert in addition to their total winnings of $30,000. To date, nobody has accomplished this.
What happened to the money from the Empire State heist?
Eddie confronts Chris with a gun and demands that he hand over the money, but Chris' father shoots and wounds Eddie just before the police arrive and arrest all three men. Chris and Eddie are released from federal prison on October 10, 1991, but the money is never recovered.
Where is Steve Chambers now?
Chambers, who made an ill-fated decision to buy a home in the gated Cramer Mountain community with his newfound wealth, now runs a gym on Lowell-Bethesda Road.01-Oct-2017
Is Loomis Fargo still in business?
Loomis, Fargo & Co., the current industry leader in the United States, is acquired by the Sweden-based security company Securitas and is integrated into the Securitas Cash Handling Services division. To fanfare, Loomis is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm on December 9.
What is the largest cash robbery in US history?
The Dunbar Armored robberyThe Dunbar Armored robbery is the largest cash robbery to have occurred in the United States. On September 12, 1997, six men robbed the Dunbar Armored facility on Mateo St. in Downtown Los Angeles, California of US$18.9 million (equivalent to $30.5 million in 2020).
How old is Kelly Campbell Hulu?
Hulu: Kelly Campbell Age Kelly Campbell, 42 years old, is leaving her dream job at Hulu to become the president of NBC Universal. She married Bill Kotzman, whom she met while working at Google, and they have two sons, ages 7 and 5, together.
Why did the FBI call the FBI?
The police then called the FBI because most of the money handled at the facility belonged to banks, which technically made it a bank robbery — a federal offense.
When was the Loomis Fargo bank robbery?
on the evening of October 4, 1997. The robbery was committed by Loomis vault supervisor David Scott Ghantt, his married girlfriend Kelly Campbell (a former Loomis co-worker), ...
Who was the guy that robbed the vault in Loomis Fargo?
In August 1997, Campbell informed Ghantt of an old high school friend of hers, Steve Chambers, who could assist Ghantt in executing a massive cash robbery of the Loomis Fargo vault in one night. Chambers had broached the possibility of a robbery to Campbell earlier in the summer. The plan was for Ghantt to commit the robbery ...
Who is the author of the book Heist?
The robbery was the subject of the book Heist!: The $17 Million Loomis Fargo Theft ( ISBN 0895872528) by Jeff Diamant (published September 2002). Diamant was a Charlotte Observer newspaper reporter working in their Gaston County bureau when the theft took place.
Who was the vault supervisor in the Loomis robbery?
Overcoming the mindset that led to the part David Ghantt played in the Loomis robbery and how he started on a new path was the subject of the book The Book of Dave: A New Path After a $17 Million Misstep ( ISBN 9781726492737) by David Scott Ghantt (published October 2018). David Ghantt was the vault supervisor in the 1997 Loomis Fargo robbery.
Why was the Hillbilly Heist called the Hillbilly Heist?
For a time, it was nicknamed "the hillbilly heist" because nearly all of the major players in the case came from small towns around Charlotte.
What episode of America's Most Wanted did Ghantt's wife plead for her husband to
Within days of the robbery, the case was depicted on the television criminal reporting show America's Most Wanted, episode aired on October 11, 1997. Ghantt's wife ended the segment with a plea to her then-husband, "Please, if there's any way possible, call us or the FBI and let us know you are alive and well...
Why did Ghantt and Campbell send pages to one another?
Ghantt ultimately agreed to the plan, largely, due to a mountain of credit-card debt and in hopes of changing his life for the better. In the movie: Ghantt and Campbell send pages to one another featuring the numbers “143” – which at the time of the existence of beepers was code for “I love you.”.
What did Ghantt buy in real life?
Purchases included a pool table, jewelry (including a $43,000 diamond ring), a minivan, $20,000 worth of cigars, and the 7,000-square-foot home on the side of Cramer Mountain. In the movie: From Mexico, Ghantt calls Campbell at a pay phone in Mecklenburg County every Tuesday and Thursday.
How does Ghantt lock himself in the back of the van?
In the movie: Ghantt accidentally locks himself in the back of the van after he has it completely loaded with cash. He fits partway through a small opening between the cargo hold and the cab of the vehicle, enough to use the key to start the engine, but needs to duct-tape bricks of money together to reach the gas pedal. Upon doing so, the van crashes through the door of the loading dock and out onto the street, where he is freed by Campbell and Chambers.
Where was Ghantt captured?
Ghantt was apprehended in Mexico and returned to the United States in custody. So the last third of the movie is almost entirely fiction.
Who was the guy who stole the vault in the movie?
That’s nearly $11 million less than former Kings Mountain resident David Ghantt (played by Galifianakis in the film) helped steal from the vault where he worked in Charlotte back in October 1997. The movie was overly silly and, based on a post-screening conversation with former Observer reporter Jeff Diamant – who wrote a detailed 279-page book ...
Was Ghantt married in real life?
In real life: False. Ghantt was already married when he took part in the heist, to a woman named Tammy – who author Diamant described as “very nice.”. It is true, however, that she had no idea about the plot and that he fled to Mexico without telling her. “She was devastated,” Diamant said.
What does Ghantt discover in the movie?
In the movie: While talking to Campbell from Mexico, Ghantt discovers a gym membership card with Chambers’s name and photo on it, in a wallet that Chambers gave Campbell to give to Ghantt. It’s a revelation that gives Ghantt power over Chambers. In real life: False.
What is the movie Masterminds based on?
Masterminds is a 2016 American crime comedy film based on the October 1997 Loomis Fargo Robbery in North Carolina. Directed by Jared Hess and written by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer and Emily Spivey, the film stars Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Jason Sudeikis .
How much did Masterminds make in 2016?
The film was projected to gross $10 million from 3,042 theaters in its opening weekend. The film made $2,325,546 on its first day. It went on to gross $6,541,205 in its opening weekend, finishing 6th at the box office.
When did the movie "The Last Jedi" come out?
It premiered in Los Angeles on September 26, 2016 and was theatrically released in the United States on September 30, 2016, by Relativity Media. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $30 million.
Who is the driver of the Loomis car?
They involve Loomis armored car driver David Scott Ghantt ( Zach Galifianakis ). After some awkward training in preparation for the robbery, the team has David go inside Loomis' vault and load the entire money supply into the company's van. Before he leaves, David takes out three CCTV tapes, but misses one.
What does Steve tell David to do when he refuses to wire the money?
When Steve refuses to wire the money, his two friends kidnap Kelly and he tells David to get a ticket to South America in exchange for her release. At the airport, he meets McKinney, who is returning to the U.S., but as he bids farewell he sees Kelly's name written on his hand and tells McKinney that he knows her.
Where was the movie Untitled Armored Car filmed?
Principal photography began on July 7, 2014, in Black Mountain and Swannanoa, North Carolina in the Asheville area . On July 29, Galifianakis was spotted in a prisoner's costume, during filming in the streets of downtown Asheville, which were made over.
Who played Scanlon in The Heist?
Meanwhile, Steve takes most of the heist, around $17 million. FBI Special Agent Scanlon ( Leslie Jones) and her partner ( Jon Daly) take the case, and immediately have David as the prime suspect, but have no idea of Steve's involvement. Steve plans to cut David loose but Kelly thinks it would be wrong to abandon him.
Why did Loomis Fargo use armored cars?
You see, there’s a reason Loomis Fargo used armored cars to move large amounts of cash. It’s heavy. And Ghantt hadn’t really thought about the physical challenge of moving such a large sum of money. Instead, the bandits just started throwing as much money as they could into the van until they couldn’t fit anymore.
How many people were indicted for the Loomis Fargo heist?
The Aftermath Of The Loomis Fargo Heist. In the end, eight co-conspirators were indicted for the Loomis Fargo heist. Because the money in the vault was largely from banks, the crime was technically a bank robbery and thus a federal offense. In total, 24 people were convicted. All but one of the indicted pleaded guilty.
When did Ghantt get arrested?
Instead, the two started hanging out on the beach together and became friends. Finally, in March 1998 , the FBI traced a call from Ghantt’s phone and he was arrested in Mexico. Chambers, his wife, and several of their accomplices were arrested the next day.
Who was the vault supervisor for Loomis Fargo?
Todd Williamson/Getty Images David Ghantt attends the 2016 after party for the Hollywood premiere of Masterminds, based on the Loomis Fargo heist that he helped carry out. David Ghantt was the vault supervisor for Loomis, Fargo & Co. armored cars, which managed the transportation of large sums of cash between banks in North Carolina.
Was Kelly Campbell married to Ghantt?
He was also married. But neither of those things would matter after he met Kelly Campbell. Campbell was another employee at Loomis Fargo and she and Ghantt quickly struck up a relationship, one that Campbell denies was ever romantic though FBI evidence says otherwise, and one that continued after she left the company.
How long was Ghantt in prison?
Ghantt was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, though he was released on parole after five. Chambers served 11 years before being released. All of the cash from the Loomis Fargo heist was recovered or accounted for, except for $2 million. Ghantt has never explained where that money went.
Who suggested that they rob Loomis Fargo?
One day, Campbell was speaking to an old friend named Steve Chambers. Chambers was a small-time crook who suggested to Campbell that they rob Loomis Fargo. Campbell was receptive and brought the idea up to Ghantt. Together, they came up with a plan.
Storyline
David Ghantt discovers the true meaning of adventure far beyond his wildest dreams. He is an uncomplicated man stuck in a monotonous life. Day in and day out he drives an armored vehicle, transporting millions of other people's money with no escape in sight.
Did you know
Based on the 1997 Loomis Fargo bank robbery in Charlotte, North Carolina. 17.3 million dollars in cash was stolen.
User reviews 125
First of all, I just can't believe that this movie was based on a true story. It left me captivated to a point of going back to do research on the real story. I wanted to see pictures of these people in person. I just had to laugh while reading some of it.
Overview
FBI investigation
Loomis Fargo employees could not open the vault the next morning and called the police. The police then called the FBI because most of the money handled at the facility belonged to banks, which technically made it a bank robbery — a federal offense.
Investigators considered Ghantt to be the prime suspect almost from the beginning. He was the only employee unaccounted for the next morning, and videotapes recovered at the Loomis Farg…
Company
Although the history of the predecessor Wells Fargo & Company dates back to 1852, Loomis Fargo & Company was established in 1997 by the consolidation of Wells Fargo Armored Service and Loomis Armored Inc.; the resulting corporation employed 8,500 people and provided armored transportation, cash handling services, and automatic teller machine maintenance. Its Charlotte office would be the victim of David Scott Ghantt and his confederates later that year.
Planning
David Ghantt struck up a relationship with fellow Loomis Fargo employee Kelly Campbell, and they continued to maintain contact even after Campbell left the company. In August 1997, Campbell informed Ghantt of an old high school friend of hers, Steve Chambers, who could assist Ghantt in executing a massive cash robbery of the Loomis Fargo vault in one night. Chambers had broached the possibility of a robbery to Campbell earlier in the summer.
Heist
With the plan in place, Ghantt sent a newly employed co-worker home early (reportedly at 6 p.m) who had been assigned to train with him. He then proceeded to load about $17.3 million in cash (approximately $11 million of which was in $20 bills) into the back of a company van.
Outside of the building, Ghantt met up with Campbell, Chambers, and others who were involved in plot, and drove off to a printing business called Reynolds & Reynolds in northwest Charlotte. Fro…
Media portrayals
• The robbery was the subject of the book Heist!: The $17 Million Loomis Fargo Theft (ISBN 0895872528) by Jeff Diamant (published September 2002). Diamant was a Charlotte Observer newspaper reporter working in their Gaston County bureau when the theft took place.
• Overcoming the mindset that led to the part David Ghantt played in the Loomis robbery and how he started on a new path was the subject of the book The Book of Dave: A New Path After a $17 Million Misst…
See also
• List of large value US robberies
• Criminal conspiracy
• Dunbar Armored robbery
External links
• Ghantt and other gang members arrested in March 1998
• Ghantt pleads guilty in September 1998
• Steven Chambers released from prison; announces he is a "retired criminal"
• Review of this case and the Book Heist! by Jeff Diamant