If there exists an item of value, there’s probably someone who wants to possess it – through legal or illegal means.
Click start to play today’s law-themed Word Search, where the word ‘larceny’ has us wondering what is the strangest item that thieves have tried to make away with, in history.
It turns out, there are many! Here are a few weird and unusual heists that actually happened:
1. Nutella and Kinder chocolate egg heist, 2017
In August 2017, thieves in Neustadt, Germany, stole a refrigerated truck with up to 20 tonnes of Nutella and Kinder chocolate eggs. The chocolates’ estimated worth was about $80,000 (Dh293,840), which is why German law enforcement advised citizens with the following statement: “Anyone offered large quantities [of chocolate] via unconventional channels should report it to the police immediately.” That’s sound advice, heist or no heist!
2. Harry Winston jewellery store robbery, 2008
In December 2008, gunmen raided the Harry Winson jewellery store in Paris, France, and escaped with $90 million (Dh330 million) worth of jewels. They managed to pull of the entire heist while wearing women’s wigs and high heels! Three years later, $20 million (Dh70 million) worth of the jewels were found in a drain in a Paris suburb, and years later, in 2015, eight men involved in the theft were convicted.
3. Wisconsin cheese heists, 2016
In 2016, Wisconsin, US, witnessed three high-profile cheese heists – ranging from $46,000 (Dh168,958) to $90,000 (Dh330,570) worth of stolen cheese. The entire haul comprised primarily of Parmesan, and the cheese bandits have still not been found. If you find this heist strange, it’s worth noting that cheese thefts keep happening from time to time. According to a 2011 study by the Centre for Retail Research in Britain, an astonishing four per cent of the world’s cheese ends up stolen. And according to a report in UK-based news website The Guardian, as of 2012, cheese was the most shoplifted grocery item, worldwide.
Which of these heists surprised you the most? Play today’s Word Search and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
