The Great Brink's Robbery: Eleven thieves steal more than $2 million from an armored car company's offices in Boston.

The Great Brink's Robbery stands as one of the most audacious and meticulously planned heists in American criminal history. This infamous armed robbery took place on the evening of January 17, 1950, targeting the then-impregnable Brink's Building. Located at the east corner of Prince Street and Commercial Street in the historic North End of Boston, Massachusetts, the facility was a seemingly impenetrable fortress for the armored car security company, Brink's, Incorporated, renowned globally for its secure transport and storage of valuables.

Today, the original site of this legendary crime has been transformed into a parking garage, now officially situated at 600 Commercial Street, a testament to the changing urban landscape of Boston's waterfront. The sheer scale of the theft was unprecedented for its time: the robbers made off with a staggering $2,775,395.12. This vast sum was comprised of $1,218,211.29 in hard cash and an additional $1,557,183.83 in various other negotiable instruments, including checks, money orders, and valuable securities. To put this into modern perspective, that amount would equate to approximately $29.9 million in current purchasing power, underscoring the monumental financial loss it represented.

At the time of its occurrence, the Great Brink's Robbery immediately claimed the title of the largest robbery ever committed in the United States. Its record stood for over three decades, eventually being surpassed only in 1984 by the more substantial Wells Fargo Bank robbery in West Hartford, Connecticut, which netted approximately $7 million. Due to its unparalleled scale, the cunning execution that left minimal immediate clues, and the dramatic pursuit that followed, the Boston heist was quickly sensationalized and widely dubbed "the crime of the century" by media and law enforcement alike.

The intricate plan was the brainchild and collective effort of an eleven-member gang, a tightly knit group of professional criminals and associates, many of whom had prior records or connections within Boston's underworld. Their meticulous preparation involved months of surveillance, studying the Brink's building layout, employee routines, security procedures, and even acquiring duplicate keys. Despite their careful planning and the apparent lack of initial leads at the crime scene, a combination of internal friction, disagreements over the division of the spoils, and relentless investigative pressure eventually led to the gang's unraveling. Remarkably, ten of the eleven perpetrators were eventually apprehended, bringing a dramatic close to one of the most captivating criminal sagas of the 20th century, though only a fraction of the stolen money was ever recovered.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Great Brink's Robbery

When and where did the Great Brink's Robbery occur?
The robbery took place on January 17, 1950, at the Brink's Building, located at the east corner of Prince Street and Commercial Street in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts.
What was the total value stolen in the Brink's Robbery?
The total amount stolen was $2,775,395.12, consisting of $1,218,211.29 in cash and $1,557,183.83 in checks, money orders, and other securities. In today's currency, this sum would be approximately $29.9 million.
Was the Great Brink's Robbery the largest in US history?
Yes, it was the largest robbery in United States history at the time it occurred in 1950. It held this record until 1984, when it was surpassed by the Wells Fargo Bank robbery in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Why was it called "the crime of the century"?
The robbery earned this moniker due to its immense scale, the audacious nature of the plan, the seemingly impenetrable security of the target, and the initial lack of clues left at the crime scene, which baffled law enforcement for an extended period.
How many people were involved in the Brink's Robbery?
An eleven-member gang executed the robbery. Eventually, ten of these individuals were arrested and brought to justice.
What happened to the Brink's Building after the robbery?
The original Brink's Building at the crime scene has since been repurposed. Today, it is a parking garage located at 600 Commercial Street in Boston's North End.
Was the stolen money ever recovered?
Only a small fraction of the immense sum stolen during the Great Brink's Robbery was ever recovered. The vast majority of the cash and securities disappeared.