In May 1990, an ordinary Wednesday morning turned into a memorable event for bank courier John Goddard in the City of London. Carrying his briefcase as usual, he was unexpectedly confronted at knifepoint and robbed of 301 City bonds valued at £292 million, equivalent to £850 million today. Despite a thorough investigation by the City of London Police, the trail of the thief quickly went cold.
This incident, known as Britain’s largest heist, remained largely unknown until now and is the focus of a new Crime+Investigation documentary series presented by Marcel Theroux. The series uncovers the intricate criminal network involved in the heist, which included connections to the New York mafia, the IRA, and Colombian drug cartels. The mastermind behind the plan remains unidentified to this day.
While Keith Cheeseman was the only one convicted in relation to the heist, serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence for conspiracy to launder the bonds, he claims that the actual value of the stolen bonds was much higher at around £427 million. This suggests that an additional £135 million was never officially reported or recovered.
Cheeseman, nicknamed ‘The Big Cheese,’ led a lavish lifestyle following the heist, mingling with notorious figures from various criminal backgrounds. Despite the involvement of multiple individuals, including gangster Raymond Ketteridge and Texan businessman Mark Osborne, only Cheeseman faced legal consequences. The intricate scheme began to unravel when it was discovered that a key player was an undercover FBI agent.
The documentary delves into the lives of colorful characters like Cheeseman and others connected to the heist, offering insights into their motivations and experiences. While some suspects like Patrick Thomas and Ray Ketteridge were believed to be involved, the full extent of their roles remains a mystery. The heist continues to intrigue both investigators and the public, leaving many unanswered questions surrounding the stolen bonds and the individuals involved.
The documentary, titled “Heist: Robbing the Bank of England,” is scheduled to premiere on Crime+Investigation on November 3rd, shedding light on one of the most audacious robberies in British history.
