In 1997, one of the largest cash robberies in United States history took place at the Loomis Fargo & Company vault in Charlotte, North Carolina. The heist involved a group of unlikely criminals who managed to steal $17.3 million in cash and escape the authorities for several months.

This real-life heist would later serve as the inspiration for the 2016 comedy film ‘Masterminds’, starring Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, and Jason Sudeikis. The movie follows a fictionalized version of the events surrounding the Loomis Fargo heist, adding a comedic touch to the outrageous true story.

The mastermind behind the heist was David Ghantt, a former employee of Loomis Fargo who was convinced by his co-worker, Kelly Campbell, to steal money from the company’s vault. The plan involved Ghantt sneaking into the vault after hours and taking bags of cash, with the help of several accomplices.

After the heist, Ghantt fled to Mexico with $50,000 in cash, while the rest of the stolen money was divided among the other members of the group. However, the authorities eventually caught up with the criminals, leading to arrests and the recovery of most of the stolen money.

‘Masterminds’ takes some creative liberties with the true story, adding exaggerated characters and over-the-top situations for comedic effect. Despite this, the movie captures the essence of the real-life heist and the absurdity of the events that unfolded.

The Loomis Fargo heist remains one of the most infamous cash robberies in American history, with the perpetrators serving time in prison and the stolen money eventually recovered. The story has since become a popular subject for books, documentaries, and films, including ‘Masterminds’.

Conclusion

The Loomis Fargo heist is a fascinating tale of greed, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to for money. The real-life events that inspired the movie ‘Masterminds’ are a reminder of the audacity and absurdity of human behavior, and the consequences that can come from chasing wealth at any cost.

While ‘Masterminds’ may take some creative liberties with the true story, it serves as an entertaining retelling of the events surrounding the Loomis Fargo heist, bringing the absurdity of the heist to life in a humorous and entertaining way.

Ultimately, the Loomis Fargo heist and the movie ‘Masterminds’ are reminders of the unpredictable and often unbelievable nature of real-life events, and how truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction.