The Antwerp Diamond Heist: Unraveling the Mystery

In February 2003, the Antwerp Diamond District in Belgium was the stage for what would later be dubbed the “heist of the century.” Detective Patrick Peys, a key member of the world’s first Diamond Brigade, took on the perplexing case of a $100 million diamond theft that left police baffled. Armed with little more than a broomstick, a ferret, and some salami, Peys and his team sought to uncover the truth behind this audacious crime.

The Day of the Heist

On a frenetic February day in 2003, while tennis star Venus Williams competed nearby, thieves executed an audacious diamond heist across town. Despite heightened security and the presence of multiple law enforcement agencies, no one saw the criminals, nor did they understand how they managed to infiltrate the vault without triggering alarms.

A Fortress of Security

The Antwerp Diamond District might be small, but its streets are filled with a diverse array of traders. In 2003, over 60 surveillance cameras monitored the area. The Diamond World Center, home to an immense array of security measures, held rows of safes containing unimaginable wealth. Among them was a vault door, 30 centimeters thick, that required a specialized key and passcode to open, alongside various security systems including thermal and seismic detectors. Simply using a drill would set off alarms.

Discovery of the Crime

On February 17, 2003, Peys received the shocking call: a vault had been breached. Inside, a scene of chaos unfolded, with diamonds, gold, and cash strewn across the floor. Over a hundred safes were emptied, and Peys noted the absence of the criminals’ personal belongings, suggesting the magnitude of their haul was extraordinary. The pivotal question loomed: how had the world-class security systems failed to activate?

The Investigation Begins

Peys was soon on the scene, astonished to find that the vault was wide open without a single alarm triggered. As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the perpetrators were incredibly skilled. They even managed to erase the security footage from that night. Remarkably, some alarm systems had been disabled in almost childlike fashion.

Clue from the Forest

Days later, a pivotal lead came from an unexpected source—a retired man named August Van Kamp. While exercising his pet ferrets in a nearby wooded area, he stumbled upon a pile of unusual trash, including shredded documents and fragments of bills. Among the debris were small green diamonds. Van Kamp notified the police, leading them to comb through the rubbish for clues.

Connecting the Dots

Among the items was a receipt from a grocery store, leading the investigators back to the scene of the crime. The name Leonardo Notarbartolo emerged—a diamond trader associated with the Diamond Center. Oddly, his safe had remained untouched, raising suspicions. However, Notarbartolo was nowhere to be found.

Piecing Together the Puzzle

As detectives probed deeper, they uncovered Notarbartolo’s dubious history. His office was eerily empty, and nothing had been found to substantiate his business dealings. The trail eventually led back to the initial discoveries from the forest, where further investigations turned up critical evidence.

Caught Off Guard

After days of relentless effort, an unexpected breakthrough finally occurred: Notarbartolo reappeared at the Diamond Center. The police swiftly apprehended him. Yet during his initial questioning, he avoided offering any useful information, creating frustration for the investigators.

Unexpected Twists

Among the trash from the forest was a half-eaten salami sandwich and a grocery store receipt, which led to yet another suspect, Ferdinando Finotto. Though Notarbartolo denied involvement, the investigation uncovered ties between all suspects, who were believed to be part of a criminal network known as the “Turin School.” Their methods were unorthodox, and their expertise in illegal activities was highly specialized.

Conclusion: The Aftermath

The heist led to the conviction of some key players, including Notarbartolo, who received a ten-year sentence. Though the police believed many diamonds remained unaccounted for, they also speculated that some might circulate back into the diamond trade. The heist remains a lesson in the audacity of criminals and the ongoing mystery surrounding the world of precious gems.

• The Antwerp diamond heist took place in February 2003 and resulted in the theft of $100 million in diamonds.
• Detective Patrick Peys utilized unconventional methods to uncover clues, including a broomstick and salami.
• The heist was notable for its execution without triggering any security alarms.
• Leonardo Notarbartolo was a key suspect who ultimately faced prison time alongside his accomplices.