Lufthansa Heist

In the year 1978, on December 11th, a significant event unfolded at the Lufthansa Storage Facility located at the airport in the United States. Two individuals had planned a daring heist, and this is their story. At the heart of this story is Louis Werner, an airport worker who was familiar with the operations at the Lufthansa facility. Louis had a close friend named Peter, and together, they were facing financial difficulties due to their gambling habits. Desperate for a way out, they devised a plan to steal valuable items stored at the facility, including money, jewelry, and other expensive items. Their plan revolved around Louis' insider knowledge of the facility's operations. Lufthansa Airlines would transport valuables to other countries, and Louis knew when and where these items were stored. He saw an opportunity to organize a heist and promised Peter a share of the loot. However, when Peter saw the plan, he deemed it poorly executed and risky, refusing to participate. Undeterred by Peter's reluctance and burdened by his debt to a menacing creditor named Martin Krugman, Louis pressed on with the plan. He sought out dangerous criminals to execute the heist successfully. Louis had connections to an associate of Jimmy Burke, a feared figure within the Lucchese Crime Family, one of the powerful crime families ruling the era. Louis approached Mr. Krugman, seeking his assistance in executing the plan. Krugman, intrigued by the prospect of a lucrative heist, agreed to provide guidance and support. The plan involved accessing the Lufthansa storage area, where returned dollars from foreign banks were stored. Louis would facilitate access to the facility, and the thieves would make off with the money. Krugman wasted no time in involving the Lucchese Crime Family, led by Jimmy Burke. Jimmy was known for his meticulous planning and ruthless execution of criminal operations. A meeting was convened, and Louis provided critical information about the facility, including entry points, alarm systems, and the locations of valuables. With the plan meticulously laid out, the date for the heist was set: December 11, 1978. The gang was composed of six robbers who would enter the facility and execute the heist. Jimmy Burke's son and a man named Edwards played supporting roles. Jimmy's son would follow the robbers in another vehicle, acting as a distraction if needed, while Edwards was tasked with disposing of the getaway van after the heist. On the fateful night, at 3:30 am, the six robbers arrived at the airport in a van. Four of them entered the building using Louis' information, while two remained in the van. However, their presence outside the facility attracted the attention of airport workers. When one worker approached them, they sensed danger and violently subdued him, ultimately taking him hostage. Meanwhile, the four inside the facility located the employees and took them hostage as well. They learned the whereabouts of the security guard and found him patrolling the area. After convincing the guard to cooperate, they disabled the alarm system and accessed the storage area.

Inside the storage area, they discovered a treasure trove of money, including stacks of foreign currency that had been returned from other countries. This money was ideal for theft since it lacked serial numbers, making it difficult to trace. The thieves quickly filled boxes with the stolen money, accumulating a significant haul. Sensing that they had taken enough, they exited the facility, returning to the van. As they left, the gang instructed the hostages to wait for 30 minutes before contacting the police. They threatened the workers, who complied with their demands. The robbers successfully escaped with their loot, with Jimmy Burke's son tailing them to ensure a safe getaway. They managed to evade the police and returned to a secret location, where they divided the stolen money. However, the exact amount they stole remained uncertain, as it was much larger than anticipated. In the aftermath, complications arose on several fronts. Louis Werner, who played a role in the planning, was eventually arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The stolen money was never fully recovered, as crime families possess extensive networks that thwart law enforcement efforts. The Lucchese Crime Family faced internal disputes regarding the division of the stolen wealth, with some participants demanding larger shares. Several individuals associated with the heist were murdered to eliminate potential informants. Despite investigations by the FBI, many aspects of the heist remained unresolved due to the absence of concrete evidence and the violent deaths of key figures. The Lufthansa Heist of 1978 stands as one of the most audacious and mystifying heists in American criminal history, leaving many questions unanswered and a significant portion of the stolen wealth forever lost