Have a good one y'all," wrote David Ghantt on his Facebook page Tuesday morning. Ghantt's spending in Mexico was extravagant at first. FBI agents arrived first, which marked the beginning of the end. Ghantt, a U.S. Army veteran, was living a relatively "boring" life working as the vault superintendent at a Loomis Fargo armored car warehouse just outside Charlotte, North Carolina making a relatively meager paycheck, when he crossed paths with Kelly Campbell. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Will California Save the Iconic Joshua Tree? David Ghantt: When I first met Zach and sat down to talk about it, he said, You realize Im going to be playing a dumber, clumsier version of you. Its all being part as a comedy and its Hollywood. The van used to move the money was later located a few miles from the warehouse. Name: David Scott Ghantt Born: October 20,1969 Infamous for: When he literally drove off with $17+ Million one day after work (admit it, you've all thought about it, lol) Famous for (at time of writing): Being an inspiration for the character David Ghantt in the major motion picture comedy- Masterminds. 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. It's based on the true story of David Ghantt (Galifianikas), a vault supervisor at the Charlotte Loomis Fargo depository in Uptown Charlotte that was involved in the second largest cash robbery in history, making off with $17.4 million ($25 million today). $7 Million by Air. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Good question , Oddly most employers are very understanding as long as you are honest with them up front . LRM: When you actually pulled off this heist, was there any comedic incidents at all that was actually true? Ghantts wife also reported him missing the same day. Few who were around then will forget the theft of $17 million in unmarked bills from the armored car company's vault in Charlotte, pulled off by a group of residents of Gaston and Cleveland counties, who were subsequently caught five months later. 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. Honestly, it got spent and no one noticed. Now looking back, with the life I have now, Ive got a great family, got a great kid. David GhanttRetweeted Iraqveteran8888 @Iraqveteran8888 Dec 9, 2022 Elect me President and I'll fire everyone, free Julian Assange, and pardon Edward Snowden. She is the diamond of my soul. In the meantime, Ghantt's wife reported him missing and the CMPD had found his . 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." He now has a wife, a construction job, and a child. 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 . The Threats to the Grizzlys Fragile Recovery are Expanding, Instead of Stuck in Court or on Some Future Ballot, Legal Marijuana Should Be On DeSantiss Desk ASAP, The Rise of the Consultant Governing Class, Demanding Transparency in East Palestine, Ohio, The Problem with Israels So-Called Crisis of Democracy, The Ukraine War One Year in: Nine False Narratives, When Neoliberals Declared War on the Poor, Liquidating the Legacy of Revolution: Ideology of the Russian Invasion. 121 90 1,443 Show this thread David GhanttRetweeted C.A. After the movie [premiered in theaters], my Facebook account exploded. LRM had an exclusive phone interview with David Ghantt last week, the real-life culprit who pulled off the successful bank heist. I'll take the live one. I Am A, where the mundane becomes fascinating and the outrageous suddenly seems normal. Heres what happened on Sunday nights episode. The company reported the theft Oct. 5. 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. Heist! Were just getting started on that. 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. The movie was overly silly and, based on a post-screening conversation with former Observer reporter Jeff Diamant who wrote a detailed 279-page book about the occasionally funny but mostly just-plain fascinating crime, titled Heist much of what wound up in the film is fiction. Also Monday, seven people believed to be involved in the scheme were arrested in North Carolina. | 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. Were you offended that they portrayed you as an idiot being so easily manipulated? After the robbery, Ghantt took off to Mexico. But even though he worked for a company that regularly moved millions of dollars, David Ghantt himself was underpaid. We're always making new tools to help you discover, save, and share your favorite books. That just added to the comedic element. After two years of dating, Jon Hamm and Anna Osceola are ready to spend the rest of their lives together. Any truth to that? He would eventually be arrested in Mexico in March 1998 after one of his co-conspirators put out a hit on him under the false suspicion he was the only prime suspect authorities were aware of at the time. Chambers, who made an ill-fated decision to buy a home in the gated Cramer Mountain community with his newfound wealth, now runsa gym on Lowell-Bethesda Road. They obviously werent trying to get it right they were putting together what they believe is a better story, said Diamant. Galifianakis will play the armored car driver, David, who evades authorities, will be searching for his co-conspirators who betrayed him, Kelly (Kristen Wiig) and Steve (Owen Wilson). Why did this Charlotte engineer leave her job? "Wells Fargo and Loomis forming armored car company", Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 16:45, Learn how and when to remove this template message, painting of Elvis Presley on black velvet, "FindACase | United States of America v. Steven Eugene Chambers", "The Unperfect Crime | New Dominion Pictures", "Sunday Evening/Late Night September 9, 2001", "Loomis Fargo heist: Q&A with guy who stole $17 million", "MASTERMINDS - Movie Production NotesCinemaReview.com", Ghantt and other gang members arrested in March 1998, Steven Chambers released from prison; announces he is a "retired criminal", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=October_1997_Loomis_Fargo_robbery&oldid=1140756292, Overcoming the mindset that led to the part David Ghantt played in the Loomis robbery and how he started on a new path was the subject of the book, Within days of the robbery, the case was depicted on the television criminal reporting show, An expanded two-hour special episode of the crime documentary series. . David Ghantt, who pulled off the Loomis, Fargo & Co. vault robbery in 1997 and was sentenced to seven years in prison for the crime, served as a consultant for the film, which opens in theatres . If you know, you know. How? My name is David Scott Ghantt. One of my compatriots, Steve Chambers was in charge of the money. Q: Your troubles were self-inflicted, but you seem happy. Campbell used part of her share of the money to buy a Toyota Sienna minivan in two cash installments. They took a lot of liberty with the story here and there. Day in and day out, he drives an armored vehicle,. LRM: If you had to relive that heist againwhat would you do differently? Charlotte radio stations labeled them the "Cramer Mountain hillbillies" and the whole crew as "the gang that couldn't steal straight.". Jandice : In any case, we got to talkin' afterwards, and I thought, well, that one's dead, this one's alive. Did you stay in touch with them? shes now Miss USA. They also bought a BMW Z3 with cash and made several large purchases, including a $600 cigar store Indian. The company reported the theft the next day, saying one of its vans was missing. David Scott Ghantt, 28, was arrested Sunday at Playa del Carmen, Mexico, near the island resort of Cozumel, FBI spokesman William Perry said. 33. Then I realized I needed to be more conservative. I figured it had to be me. The company reported the theft Oct. 5. A: I like the 47-year-old David Ghantt more than I did the 20-something David Ghantt. 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. Q: How do you tell prospective employers you once stole $17 million? Shelly Miscavige, David's wife, has not been seen in public for 15 years. 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. Thats the big thing. From Oct. 6 through Feb. 20, the couple made 47 deposits totaling $271,500 at a Belmont bank, and at. Ghantt was charged in connection with the . Loomis Fargo employees could not open the vault the next morning and called the police. Thats probably not the best answer to be honest with you. Question: Which do you regret more, stealing the money or getting caught? Two New Featurettes For CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Are HERE! For a time, it was nicknamed "the hillbilly heist" because nearly all of the major players in the case came from small towns around Charlotte. "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 the vault manager. . David Harbour with Lily Allen. The couple was married for 22 years before her untimely death in 2012. But Ghantt has been open about what he did and how he believes it changed him for the better. It was Ghantt, a 27-year-old Army veteran living in Kings Mountain at the time, who loaded up more than 2,000 pounds of cash in a company van and just drove away at the end of his shift as a supervisor at Loomis Fargo. I really shouldnt change anything. From Oct. 6 through Feb. 20, the couple made 47 deposits totaling $271,500 at a Belmont bank, and at one point Michelle Chambers tried to get an official bank check with $200,000 in cash, authorities said. Ghantt fled to Mexico immediately after the theft, only to be caught in March 1998 when one of his co-conspirators, Steve Chambers, sent a hit man to kill Ghantt in an effort to tie up loose ends. Q: Do you ever think about what your life would be like if you had gotten away with the money? ", After successfully tracing Ghantt's phone call, FBI agents coordinated with Mexican police to arrest Ghantt on March 1, 1998, at Playa del Carmen, a city near Cancun. David Harbour and Lily Allen are currently together. Both were involved in the second-largest cash heist in U.S. history, in which a group of people stole $17 million from the. >.>. How did it actually feel when the FBI took you in? ", "If you're trying to make yourself better today, that's all most people care about.". They received sentences and probation ranging from several years to 11 years and three months in federal prison for Steve Chambers, who was also fined more than $3,500,000. Most of the money was in $20 bills, according to the FBI. He was angry a lot. "I've learned that I'm a fortunate . I might be a little biased. Grants brother, Eric Scott Grant, also was in federal custody but it could not be determined late Monday whether he was charged in the scheme. A lot of people ask me, Oh, do you have any regrets? No, not really. Its a yes: Clover teen shakes off nerves to earn American Idol golden ticket, Deputy rapes woman at traffic stop and tells her she wont be charged, Tennessee cops say, Charlotte woman was locked in room for 5 days before police shooting, report shows. 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. You'd be amazed at how much stress you can relieve yourself from in your life by just taking 20 or so minutes a day for yourself and just letting the world go. His accomplices included coworker Kelly Campbell, as well as friends Steve and Michelle Chambers. In February 2009 the Associated Press reported that Chambers had chosen to describe himself as "changed". I wouldnt want to change anything. Just living day-to-day. His wife, they said, got breast implants and used cash to purchase a 1998 BMW Z3 sports car. Do you still have contact with him? So the last third of the movie is almost entirely fiction. They not only moved from a trailer into an expensive house just miles away from where the theft took place, but also paid for cosmetic surgery, bought a BMW convertible, Rolex watches and other signs of excess. Masterminds - Zach Galifianakis 'David Ghantt' [On-Set Interview]SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://goo.gl/SrrTlTSUBSCRIBE MOVIE TRAILERS: http://goo.gl/8WxGeDA night gu. He just never had the opportunity. David Ghantt: Mostly, it concerned for Zach [Galifianakis] to have the right shirt and carrying the right pistol. The Army veteran and Hunter Huss High graduate was captured in Mexico five months later when one of the others involved in the theft, Steve Chambers, decided he needed to tie up loose ends by having Ghantt killed. What was it like to have a movie based on your story? (Source: People) David Scott Ghantt: Vault Supervisor David Scott Ghantt was the vault supervisor at the regional branch of Loomis, Fargo & Co. in Charlotte, North Carolina. LRM: So tell me on where are you now? David Ghantt, who pulled off the Loomis, Fargo & Co. vault robbery in 1997 and was sentenced to seven years in prison for the crime, served as a consultant for the film (in theaters Friday).. One night in a small North Carolina town, a down-on-his-luck guard at Loomis Fargo manages to steal $17 millionliterally more than one ton of cash. The contents were missing. Directed by Jared Hess and written by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer and Emily Spivey, the film stars Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Jason Sudeikis.. Ghantt and seven others eventually pleaded guilty in federal court to charges directly related to one of the largest cash heists in history while more than a dozen other family members, friends and associates of those involved in the theft were found guilty of related charges, including money laundering. An additional tip reached the FBI when Michelle Chambers made a large deposit at a bank. In real life: True. They bought a huge diamond and paid with cash for it. [1], Steven Chambers finished serving his sentence in November 2006. And, with the help of several others David made off with $17.3 million dollars, 11 million of which was in 20's. You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him [email protected]. 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. Glad you like the movie. All but one of the defendants pleaded guilty. With a star-studded cast including Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Jason Sudeikis and director Jared Hess, Masterminds was bound for comedic success. Here's whatGhantt says now about the heist that madethe "Cramer Mountain Hillbillies" famous and changed him forever. Chambers finished serving his prison sentence in November 2006 and told the Associated Press in 2009 he was "changed.". I live down here in Jacksonville, Florida. He then began loading $17 million in unmarked bills inside a company van before driving away. David Ghantt discovers the true meaning of adventure far beyond his wildest dreams. Hes a great person. Although the FBI investigation was able to quickly connect Ghantt to Campbell, connecting Ghantt to Chambers was a more difficult task. What happened to the 2 mil that is still unaccounted for? 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. I realized a lot of things that were wrong with me as a person. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: The Beast Lays On The Charm In New TV Spot. Ghantt was scheduled to work a shift at the armored car company Oct. 4. Themansion party is real. David Ghantt: Well, my compatriots did lock themselves out of the van. They asked me how I felt about it and I said, Its my story, but its your movie so have at me. 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. Some people screw up big like you, some people screw up small. With egg prices on the rise, are more people buying chickens? Of course, the FBI was already aware of Chambers and his free-spending ways, and the murder plot helped federal agents find Ghantt south of the border. Example video title will go here for this video. Its gone! HOW TO ROB A BANK / S1 EP8. He made his own self miserable. David Ghantt: Since the movie came out, I probably say I would have more now. He then began loading $17 million in unmarked bills inside a company van before driving away. Dont come to me for a treasure map, Ill put it to you that way., Michael Sainatos writing has appeared in the Guardian, Miami Herald, Baltimore Sun, Denver Post, Buffalo News, the Hill, Alternet, and several other publications . The Mandalorian S3 Episode 1 Review: ROUGH START!!! You might as well take part in the conversation. Q: North Carolina native Zach Galifianakis portrayed you in "Masterminds." The police then called the FBI because most of the money handled at the facility belonged to banks, which technically made it a bank robbery a federal offense.[5]. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Gov. I ended up buying a small sailboat and go out to catch lunch. David Ghantt (@DavidGhantt) is a man that still holds the record for the second largest bank heist on American Soil. Check your inbox for a confirmation email with instructions to finish signing up. Were you really hailed as a hero? He had stayed in a luxury hotel and paid for expensive food and activities such as scuba diving and parasailing. I've read that once the FBI actually closed in on you, you were relieved because you were fearing for your life at that point. Its baggeditup.net. 1997 - David Scott Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) thought being an armored car driver would be a dream come true. Wife Lily Allen. Wichita Eagle, Thursday, June 29, 1995 Bullock, David N., 63, retired Beech Aircraft Corp. sheet metal worker, died Tuesday, June 27, 1995. 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