JANUARY 17th - People can be Smart. People can be Stupid.



On this day in 1950, The Great Brinks Robbery in Boston was successfully executed by Fats Pino and ten other men. These dudes were dedicated. They started scoping out the armored car depot 18 months prior to find the time when it held the most cash. They stole plans for the alarm system and returned them before anyone knew they were missing. They copied keys. They dressed in uniforms similar to Brinks’ employees, wore masks, hurt no one at the scene, and left little physical evidence. The perfect crime. Except, people are stupid. Fats wasn’t stupid--he informed his crew to not touch any of the $2.7 million in cash, checks, and money orders they made off with that day until the statute of limitations on the crime ran out. And everyone was cool with that. Over 240K waiting for you if you just played it smart. But people are stupid. Like Specs O’Keefe. He left his share with another member while he served a sentence for an unrelated robbery. O’ Keefe started asking for his share and threatened to talk if he didn’t get it. Mind you the statute was getting closer and closer to running out and might have had they let Specs just ruminate. But people are stupid. The group decided to put a hit on Specs. Didn’t work, and Specs blabbed just days before they all would have gotten off scot-free. Now, stealing is wrong, and I’m sure the life sentences they received were justified, but darn if they weren’t close to getting away with it all. Lot of thought, planning, and execution. Because people can be smart. But they can also be stupid. Looking at you Specs. What the hell do you need money for while you’re in prison?

This Day has been Marked.

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