In May 1990, a typical Wednesday morning turned extraordinary for bank courier John Goddard in the City of London. While on his routine rounds carrying his briefcase, Goddard fell victim to a knife-wielding thief who seized his case containing 301 City bonds valued at £292 million, equivalent to £850 million today. Despite extensive efforts by the City of London Police, the perpetrator managed to escape without a trace.
This audacious heist, known as “the biggest heist you have never heard of,” has now become the focus of a documentary series on Crime+Investigation. Hosted by Marcel Theroux, the series sheds light on the intricate criminal scheme involving the New York mafia, the IRA, and Colombian drug lords. The mastermind behind the operation remains a mystery to this day.
Although most of the stolen bonds were recovered, former bank employee Keith Cheeseman, the only person convicted in connection with the theft, claims that the actual value of the stolen bonds exceeded £427 million. This suggests that an additional £135 million remained unaccounted for. Cheeseman, now residing on the Turkish Riviera, maintains that he was unaware of the robbery until it occurred and suggests an internal conspiracy.
The criminal network involved in the heist included figures like gangster Raymond Ketteridge and businessman Mark Osborne, who delivered the bonds to mafia associates in New York. However, the plan unraveled when it was revealed that one of the recipients was an undercover FBI agent. Despite numerous unanswered questions, journalist Marcel Theroux expresses astonishment at the magnitude of the theft and its clandestine nature.
Cheeseman reflects on his descent into a life of crime following financial setbacks and portrays a glamorous criminal lifestyle filled with luxury cars and extravagant living. Other individuals linked to the heist, such as Marvin Herbert and Jimmy Tippett, provide intriguing perspectives on the events surrounding the robbery.
As the documentary delves deeper into the heist, revealing the complex web of characters and motivations involved, the mystery surrounding the true extent of the crime persists. The Crime+Investigation series promises to unravel the layers of deception and intrigue that shroud this remarkable robbery.