Headlines

8 ‘Bad Grandpas’ Carried Out a Brazen $20M Jewelry Heist

A new book describes the crime.

Published

5 years ago

April 28, 2019

INSTORE Staff

A new book describes how eight “bad grandpas” pulled off a $20 million jewelry heist in London.

The book, The Last Job: The ‘Bad Grandpas’ and the Hatton Garden Heist, tells the story of the 2015 burglary of Hatton Garden Safe Deposit in the city’s diamond district, the New York Post reports.

Jimmy Degroot

Smith and DeGroot Release ‘A Vendor Perspective’ Podcast Episode

Jimmy Degroot

Video: Split Sales Require Effort

Jimmy Degroot

The Business of Jewelry Podcast Special Edition (Part 2)

The men ranged in age from 52 to 73 when they began planning the crime in a pub in 2012. They’d served time for a variety of crimes, including armed robbery, but had for the most part left the criminal life behind.

As they reminisced, they began to think about pulling off just one more job.

“They were motivated by cash, but, at a time in life when many of their contemporaries lived in nursing homes, the excitement of a final heist got their hearts going,” said author Dan Bilefsky, according to the Post.

Hatton Garden Safe Deposit contained almost 1,000 security boxes where jewelers kept jewelry and cash.

Using a drill and a battering ram, the men pulled off the heist. And were soon caught.

Most members of the crew pleaded guilty and received sentences of about seven years each.

Read more at the New York Post

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”