In May 1990, an average Wednesday morning turned into a remarkable event for bank courier John Goddard in the City of London. During his routine rounds, he encountered a robbery at knifepoint where his briefcase containing 301 City bonds valued at £292 million was stolen – equivalent to £850 million today. Despite extensive investigations by the City of London Police, the perpetrator’s trail quickly went cold.
This incident, known as Britain’s largest heist, remained largely unknown until now and is the focus of a new Crime+Investigation documentary series hosted by Marcel Theroux. The program delves into the intricate criminal scheme involving the New York mafia, the IRA, and Colombian drug lords. The mastermind behind the plan remains unidentified, with low-level criminal Patrick Thomas, suspected of executing the theft, meeting a fatal end due to his alleged knowledge of the operation.
Keith Cheeseman, the only individual convicted in connection to the crime, served a six-and-a-half-year sentence for his involvement in laundering the bonds. While authorities claim to have recovered most of the stolen bonds, Cheeseman, in an exclusive interview with The Mirror, asserts that the actual value of the stolen bonds was approximately £427 million, indicating an additional £135 million remains unaccounted for.
Cheeseman, now residing in Turkey, recalls being unknowingly drawn into the heist due to internal planning within the criminal network. Referred to as ‘The Big Cheese,’ he had associations with various notorious figures like the US mafia and Pablo Escobar. The documentary also sheds light on other key players like Raymond Ketteridge and Mark Osborne, who were part of the network involved in the heist.
The intricate scheme began to unravel when one of the associates, Osborne, inadvertently exposed the operation to an undercover FBI agent. Despite suspicions and speculations surrounding various individuals, only Cheeseman faced legal consequences. The journalist, Theroux, captivated by the unresolved mysteries, describes the heist as a remarkable event that went unnoticed in the bustling London of his youth.
Cheeseman’s account of his descent into criminal activities following financial setbacks resonates with a period of lavish living and opulence. His reflections on the past reveal a lifestyle characterized by luxury and notoriety, underlining his belief that crime can be rewarding despite the consequences. The involvement of other figures like Marvin Herbert and Jimmy Tippett adds layers of complexity to the narrative, painting a vivid picture of the era’s criminal underworld.
The saga of the Bank of England heist continues to intrigue with its cast of colorful characters and unsolved enigmas. As the documentary unfolds, it promises to provide a deeper understanding of the events surrounding the audacious robbery that shook the financial landscape of London in the early 1990s.