A: People are very forgiving if you're open and honest right from the start. Sixteen others who were indirectly involved were convicted and federal agents recovered most of the money. Iraqi war vet, David Ghantt, was a guard at the Loomis Fargo cash vault in Charlotte in October 1997 when he decided to steal 17-million-dollars. There are also a bit of comedy and some tragedy. He then began loading $17 million in unmarked bills inside a company van before driving away. The unlikely suspect in the Charlotte heist was 27-year-old David Scott Ghantt, a quiet, unassuming vault supervisor who earned $360 a week. They even made a movie about it, with North Carolina native Zach Galifianakis playing the role of Ghantt in the comedy "Masterminds.". HOW TO ROB A BANK / S1 EP5 . Thats probably not the best answer to be honest with you. It has a lot of things youll look for in a storya little romance, money, adventure and travel. Michele Chambers' sentence was two months longer than that given to David Scott Ghantt, the Loomis employee who removed the money from the company vault on Oct. 4, 1997. David Ghantt: Mostly, it concerned for Zach [Galifianakis] to have the right shirt and carrying the right pistol. David Ghantt struck up a relationship with fellow Loomis Fargo employee Kelly Campbell, and they continued to maintain contact even after Campbell left the company. I just wanted to restart. You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-869-1823 or www.Twitter.com/TheGazetteKevin. Ghantt was the vault manager. He then proceeded to load about $17.3 million in cash (approximately $11 million of which was in $20 bills) into the back of a company van. David Ghantt: No, I havent talked to them in a very long time. He and his wife, Michelle, moved from their mobile home in Lincoln County to a luxury house in the wealthy Cramer Mountain section of Cramerton. LRM: If you had to relive that heist againwhat would you do differently? I did do a lot of diving down in Mexico, which is a great diving spot. 'Not for lunch' Good question , Oddly most employers are very understanding as long as you are honest with them up front . So what made you do it? At the time it was the second largest cash robbery ever to happen on US soil. The next day, Steve and Michelle Chambers, Kelly Campbell, and four others were arrested.[6]. David Ghantt: I would be really philosophical about this. LRM: For whatever its worth, its a good answer. Ghantt @ChristyGhantt Dec 7, 2022 I just entered the @clxgaming Ra PC Giveaway! All David Ghantt ever really wanted was adventure, and he takes the audience along with him for an hour-and-a-half of side-splitting comedy in Masterminds. No one could just pull off the crime of the decade. I might even have more these days. Thats nearly $11 million less than former Kings Mountain resident David Ghantt (played by Galifianakis in the film) helped steal from the vault where he worked in Charlotte back in October 1997. All rights reserved. You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him Kellis@GastonGazette.com. ``During the conversation Campbell. A: When you're locked up, you live in an 8-by-10 box and you share that with two other people. In November 1990, David married Margaret in San Diego, California. Until it's gone, you don't appreciate it. David Scott Ghantt, 28, was arrested Sunday at Playa del Carmen, Mexico, near the island resort of Cozumel, FBI spokesman William Perry said. How? You look nothing like Zach? Spending years in prison, he said, gave him time to re-invent himself. "A former co-worker told me, "Everybody has screwed up. I was shocked. David Ghantt: That is the like the number two question that everyone asks me. All ofWCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. The Confess, Fletch co-stars are engaged after they first started . People did ask questions or they wanted to chat. If you know, you know. Based on the October 1997 Loomis Fargo robbery. Some received probation for money laundering, many others did hard time. And it didn't take long to figure out that this was not the place for me. I Am A, where the mundane becomes fascinating and the outrageous suddenly seems normal. Here's whatGhantt says now about the heist that madethe "Cramer Mountain Hillbillies" famous and changed him forever. Ghantt, a decorated Army veteran who served in the Persian Gulf war repairing helicopters, was charged in October with bank larceny, sparking an intense manhunt. 90 Second Job. You know as well as I doits Hollywood. I also explained to Owen [Wilson] on what it was like to be in Federal prison. When McKinney realized Ghantt was wanted for the Loomis Fargo robbery, he backed off personally because he didnt want to be anywhere near a federal investigation. Heres what happened on Sunday nights episode. Ghantt labeled himself as a jerk who was dissatisfied with his life before stealing the money. Mrs. Chambers would then occasionally wire Ghantt money and see to his basic financial needs; when "the heat was off," Ghantt was to re-enter the U.S. and the money would be split up among all of the co-conspirators. I really don't miss that guy. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. She is the diamond of my soul. Like I said before, money does weird things to people. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://twitter.com/DavidGhantt/status/827476087596789760. According to court documents, federal agents began looking at the spending habits of Steven and Michelle Chambers after being tipped by a confidential informant about their "sudden wealth." Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. $17 Million and Change. I might be a little biased. Inside the truck, they found Ghantt's ring and surmised this was a sign of Ghantt's intention to end his relationship with his wife. Additionally, we also discussed about his life in Mexico, the discoveries, and his life today after all this fame. Kate. Chambers did hire McKinney to kill Ghantt, but initially McKinney was making personal cash deliveries to Ghantt in Mexico on behalf of Chambers. But Ghantt has been open about what he did and how he believes it changed him for the better. And, with the help of several others David made off with $17.3 million dollars, 11 million of which was in 20's. I'll take the live one. $17.3 million . That usually takes the shine right off of it, when you start explaining that. He continued, Youd be wearing a lot of khaki brown and eating crappy food., Since the films release and its recent Netflix debut, Scott Ghent cited that the most common question he receives is about the missing $2 million never recovered by the FBI; Ive had people actually ask me that question. I wanted to change my life. Court documents said an informant who was not identified tipped off federal agents about the couples suspicious spending habits. You've decided to give up on a part of your life. I did get to spend a good amount of time on the set in North Carolina and having a movie based on my story was a bit surreal and a bit funny to be honest. Did you get to spend much time on set? Charlotte hotel chef who serves with a smile recognized as outstanding ambassador, Eritrean, Ethiopian restaurant owner was a big brother and father to many in Charlotte, Home tours: This wired-up Weddington smart home has a pool big enough for the neighborhood. You said that was the number two question. [1], This robbery was the second-largest cash robbery on U.S. soil at the time, as only seven months earlier, on March 29, 1997 in Jacksonville, Florida, Philip Noel Johnson stole $18.8 million from the Loomis Fargo armored vehicle he was driving.[2]. | TCR, Mando S3E1: The Apostate Review Fun Without Meaning, Design Without Thought, Disney+s Peter Pan & Wendy Teaser Trailer Showcases Familiar Characters, Creed III Black Carpet Interviews with Cast and Guests, Kogonada Rumored To Direct Episodes Of Star Wars: The Acolyte | Barside Buzz, Both Blade And Deadpool 3 Set To Begin Filming May This Year | Barside Buzz, Mandalorian Exec Producers Discuss Moving On Without Cara Dune, DC Spotlight February 28, 2023: The Comic Source Podcast, Arnold Schwarzenegger Stars In Netflixs FUBAR, His First Television Project, LRM Exclusive Interview: David Ghantt, Real Life Thief Who Inspired MASTERMINDS. Masterminds follows the [] They asked me how I felt about it and I said, Its my story, but its your movie so have at me. Watch your email for exciting announcements and new features coming soon! Wake Up CharlotteToGo is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team atWake Up Charlotte. What happened to the 2 mil that is still unaccounted for? Steven Chambers (left) and David Scott Ghantt Facts Before he decided to steal $17 million from the bank, Ghantt worked for years as a relatively silent and compliant employee. All are charged with aiding, abetting and counseling the commission of a bank larceny and being accessories after the fact and hindering Ghantts apprehension. You did something else instead. I think Zachs a hell of an actor. Q: How do you tell prospective employers you once stole $17 million? Ghantt's spending in Mexico was extravagant at first. You take a movie like Oceans Eleven, the whole concept of that movie is so farfetched, its not even funny. Although the history of the predecessor Wells Fargo & Company dates back to 1852, Loomis Fargo & Company was established in 1997 by the consolidation of Wells Fargo Armored Service and Loomis Armored Inc.; the resulting corporation employed 8,500 people and provided armored transportation, cash handling services, and automatic teller machine maintenance. At one point, the hoodlum shows up and Ghantt is wearing a Jerome Bettis Pittsburgh Steelers jersey; the hoodlums favorite team is the Steelers, and he caves and tells Ghantt that McKinney wants him dead. Q: North Carolina native Zach Galifianakis portrayed you in "Masterminds." He is now a stepfather to her two daughters, Ethel, 10, and Marnie, 9. >.>. We were in Old Fortwhen they were shooting the movie and went out to eat. A: I'm in dire need for some RO's barbecue and some Tony's Ice Cream. He now has a wife, a construction job, and a child. David GhanttRetweeted Iraqveteran8888 @Iraqveteran8888 Dec 9, 2022 Elect me President and I'll fire everyone, free Julian Assange, and pardon Edward Snowden. A movie based on the heist starring Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones and directed by Jared Hess (the guy who made Napoleon Dynamite) is out now on Blu-ray and DVD. The film stars Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, Kate McKinnon and Jason Sudeikis. Service 11 a.m. Saturday . LRM: You did serve time in Federal prison and it was a very well-known bank robbery. The Loomis Fargo Bank Robbery was the $17.3 million cash robbery of the Charlotte, North Carolina, regional office vault of Loomis Fargo & Company on the evening of October 4, 1997, by armored car driver and vault supervisor David Scott Ghantt.An FBI criminal investigation (which became international in scope) ultimately resulted in the arrest and conviction of eight people . LRM: Obviously, this is comedy and not a documentary. Explain: The scary part is that as soon as you put that little bit of money in the van, that there's no going back. Purchases included a pool table, jewelry (including a $43,000 diamond ring), a minivan, $20,000 worth of cigars, and the 7,000-square-foot home on the side of Cramer Mountain. All but $186,000 in that theft was recovered from a North Carolina storage building. ``Thats always something that sends up a red flag, she said. I wouldnt want to change anything. He is an uncomplicated man stuck in a monotonous life. And it would take a lot more than that to offend me, I thought it was funny. Even after the tapes showing Ghantt stealing the. Shelly Miscavige, David's wife, has not been seen in public for 15 years. In real life: False. He was the only employee unaccounted for the next morning, and videotapes recovered at the Loomis Fargo Charlotte office showed Ghantt removing "cubes of cash" and loading it into a Loomis Fargo armored van for over an hour. The plan was for Ghantt to commit the robbery and then quickly leave the country for Mexico but to leave the bulk of the cash with Chambers. They kept several furnishings from the previous owners, including a painting of Elvis Presley on black velvet. All were convicted. I just sat back and waited on my money. David Ghantt: I was very sure they [were looking for me]. Also famous for (at least with his friends and family) finally getting his first book . 44:38. Philip Noel Johnson, 33, was arrested in August while crossing into the United States from Mexico. Back in 1997, David Ghantt, a resident of Kings Mountain and Gulf War veteran, was finishing up his shift as a vault supervisor for Loomis Fargo when he started to load nearly $17 million into a company van and drove away. Eventually, federal agents found Ghantt, thanks to uncovering a plot for an assassin to hunt and kill him in Mexico. Loomis Fargo employees could not open the vault the next morning and called the police. A Dangerous Fishing Expedition: The Select Committee on China, Spying on Muslims, Good; Spying on Christians, Bad, Climate Code Red Analysis and Sea Level Warnings, Nichole Stephens, Administrative Assistant. Ghantt reported to Chambers that his supply of money was running low, but Chambers sent Ghantt just $8,000. Chambers finished serving his prison sentence in November 2006 and told the Associated Press in 2009 he was "changed.". Also Monday, seven people believed to be involved in the scheme were arrested in North Carolina. I was like, Okay.. He then began loading $17 million in unmarked bills inside a company van before driving away. I gave him the short synopsis. "Your honor, if I could undo what I did, I would," David Scott Ghantt said before being sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen. Ghantt was already married when he took part in the heist, to a woman named Tammy who author Diamant described as very nice. It is true, however, that she had no idea about the plot and that he fled to Mexico without telling her. Tony Mendez, long an on-air fixture handling the cue cards for David Letterman on The Late Show, took the wrong cue this week, assaulting staff writer Bill Scheft, a 15-time Emmy nominee, and getti I did get to meet him. It was one of the first things they voted on. Seven others were convicted in direct connection with the heist. Ghantt labeled himself as a jerk who was dissatisfied with his life before stealing the money. Then, keeping with the plan, Ghantt took $50,000 (the maximum that could by law be taken across the border without further authorization) with him and left for Mexico, winding up at the popular Yucatan Peninsula resort-island of Cozumel. David Ghantt commits the second largest bank heist in US history . She was devastated, Diamant said. Where ever it was, it is long gone now. David Ghantt discovers the true meaning of adventure far beyond his wildest dreams. [1], Steven Chambers finished serving his sentence in November 2006. He pleaded guilty in January to charges of kidnapping, money laundering and interfering with interstate commerce. #CLXGaming#CLXRa#evokethegods 1 2 But last Oct. 4, when he still hadn't gotten home by 2:30 a.m., she called his parents in. Get ready for less sleep in Charlotte. In real life: False. In 2020, the television show Super Heists portrayed the heist in Episode 3, "Van Full of Dollars". My face popped up. The amount of money stolen is correct. However, it's a Hollywood comedy. Soooooo will anyfuckingbody say what the movie is called? When it comes to crime news, few events have had the longevity or the notoriety of the Loomis Fargo heist, which occurred 25 years ago on Oct. 4, 1997. Thats the big thing. Eventually, the money had to run out. $17.3 million in cash was robbed from the Charlotte, North Carolina, regional office vault of Loomis, Fargo & Co. on the evening of October 4, 1997. Its gone! LRM: True. You might as well take part in the conversation. Zach Galifianakis played David Scott Ghantt, with other roles played byOwen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon. . Any truth to that? In 1997, Loomis Fargo employee David Ghantt robbed the armored car company of $17 million. I ended up buying a small sailboat and go out to catch lunch. How many years did David Ghantt get? David Ghantt talks to us about his part in the robbery of Loomis Fargo where he stole over 17 Million Dollars \u0026 the events that transpired soon after.Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/crimeandentertainment/Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crimenentertainment/Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4T67Bs5kksA7HP22LoKzt4Listen on Apple Music - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crime-entertainment/id1573321645Listen on Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/crime-entertainmentListen on Google Podcast - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xMjcxNTQzLnJzcw==Listen on Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9cdb3854-414d-4b69-8022-4479e01dad44/crime-entertainment?ref=dm_sh_OVZBcFDuxatVNE3y3mD1HHBtm Jason Sudeikis voted on heist that madethe `` Cramer Mountain Hillbillies '' famous and changed him the... 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