In May 1990, an ordinary Wednesday morning took a dramatic turn for bank courier John Goddard in the City of London. He was confronted at knifepoint and robbed of his briefcase containing 301 City bonds valued at £292 million, equivalent to £850 million today. Despite extensive efforts by the City of London Police, the trail of the thief quickly went cold.
This incident, known as “the biggest heist you have never heard of,” is the focus of a new Crime+Investigation documentary series presented by Marcel Theroux. The series delves into the intricate criminal network behind the heist, involving the New York mafia, the IRA, and Colombian drug traffickers. The mastermind of the plan remains unknown, with low-level criminal Patrick Thomas, believed to be involved, meeting a fatal end due to his alleged knowledge of the scheme.
Keith Cheeseman, the sole individual convicted in connection with the heist, served a six-and-a-half-year sentence for conspiracy to launder the bonds. While authorities claim most of the stolen bonds were recovered, Cheeseman asserts that the actual value of the stolen bonds exceeded £427 million, with an additional £135 million unaccounted for.
Cheeseman, now residing in Turkey, recalls being unaware of the robbery until it occurred, suggesting an internal orchestration. Referred to as ‘The Big Cheese,’ he was part of a criminal network that included individuals like Raymond Ketteridge and Mark Osborne, who delivered bonds to mafia figures in New York.
The intricate plan unraveled when an undercover FBI agent infiltrated the group. Despite suspicions and testimonies from various individuals, including former armed robber Marvin Herbert and South London gangster Jimmy Tippett, the full extent of the operation remains shrouded in mystery.
Marcel Theroux, intrigued by the unresolved questions surrounding the heist, describes the event as a remarkable feat of criminal activity. Cheeseman, reflecting on his past involvement in crime, acknowledges the lavish lifestyle it afforded him, expressing regret only for the missing money.
The documentary provides a glimpse into the lives of colorful characters associated with the heist, shedding light on their motivations and connections. As the details of the heist continue to captivate audiences, it remains a testament to the audacity and complexity of organized crime in the financial world.