The Lufthansa Heist of 1978: A Daring Robbery
The Lufthansa Heist, one of the most infamous heists in history, took place on December 11, 1978, at the Lufthansa Cargo Building at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Orchestrated by a group of mobsters and criminals, this meticulously planned robbery saw the theft of $5 million in cash and $875,000 in jewels, equivalent to over $22 million today. This audacious crime remains a fascinating story due to its scale, the personalities involved, and its impact on organized crime in America.
The Mastermind: Jimmy “The Gent” Burke
At the center of the Lufthansa Heist was James “Jimmy” Burke, a high-ranking member of the Lucchese crime family. Known for his well-mannered demeanor, hence the nickname “The Gent,” Burke was a seasoned criminal with a penchant for planning elaborate heists. The idea to rob Lufthansa came after he learned about the large sums of untraceable cash being flown in from West Germany, stored overnight at the Lufthansa Cargo Building.
The Plan
The planning for the heist was incredibly detailed and required the coordination of multiple players within the criminal underworld. Burke enlisted the help of various members from the Lucchese and Gambino crime families, as well as other career criminals. Among the key players were Henry Hill, a mobster turned FBI informant, and Louis Werner, an indebted Lufthansa employee who provided crucial inside information.
The Execution
In the early hours of December 11, 1978, the robbers, led by Burke’s associate Parnell “Stacks” Edwards, made their move. Armed with guns and wearing ski masks, they gained access to the cargo building by cutting through the chain-link fence. Werner, the inside man, was on duty that night, and he intentionally left the bay door unlocked, allowing the robbers to enter the building with ease.
Once inside, the robbers rounded up and handcuffed the employees. They then forced a supervisor to reveal the location of the cash and jewels. The entire operation was completed in just over an hour, and the robbers made their escape with the loot.
The Aftermath
In the wake of the heist, panic and paranoia gripped the criminal underworld. As law enforcement intensified their investigation, the robbers began to turn on each other, with some being killed by Burke to keep them quiet. It is believed that Burke was worried they would inform on him to the police or try to take a larger share of the stolen money.
Hill, who had been part of the heist, eventually became an informant for the FBI and implicated Burke in the crime. However, due to a lack of evidence, Burke was never formally charged with the Lufthansa Heist. He was later convicted on unrelated charges and died in prison in 1996.
Conclusion
The Lufthansa Heist remains one of the most infamous robberies in American history. Its intricate planning and ruthless execution are a testament to the criminal ingenuity of the mobsters involved. Although many of the key players have since died or been incarcerated, the vast majority of the stolen money was never recovered, leaving a lingering mystery around this daring and captivating heist.
