There have been some truly baffling heists over the years, and while we're not talking about fictional ones in The Italian Job and Ocean's Eleven, real-life criminals have made the news with the likes of the 2003 Antwerp World Diamond Center robbery and 2015's Hatton Garden Heist that have seen thieves make off with millions. We'd also be amis without mentioning when the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist of the Century saw $18.7 million of the sticky stuff stolen between 2011 and 2012.
We also have to be on the lookout for modern cybercriminals, like when the Carbanak cyber attacks stole over $1 billion using just their phones.
Up there with the maple syrup heist in terms of WTF, CCTV has captured the moment when criminals in the UK strolled out of Blenheim Palace with a solid gold toilet.
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As reported by Sky News, criminals used a sledgehammer to break into the birthplace of Winston Churchill to steal the golden throne back in 2019.
The case recently went to court, with jurors being shown the CCTV where three men stole the toilet that's said to be worth $4.75 million ($6,012,277).
While we don't imagine lifting an 18-carat-gold toilet is that easy, the criminals pull it off without a hitch - apart from the fact they're caught in the act. One is even seen throwing a golden toilet seat in the back of a car.
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Footage shows the blue VW Golf strain under the 98kg weight, and while palace security guards gave chase on foot, the two cars sped off from the scene.
Michael Jones pleaded not guilty to stealing artwork during the September 2019 raid, while Frederick Sines (also known as Frederick Doe) and Bora Guccuk both denied one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Doe and Guccukare were accused of agreeing to help a defendant called James Sheen carry out the burglary in hopes of selling some of the gold shortly after.
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Jurors were told that Sheen had previously pleaded guilty to burglary.
The solid gold toilet wasn't one that Churchill had sat on, and while it's fully functional, it's an artwork installation known as 'America', created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The toilet was insured for a hefty sum of $6 million.
Jones and his partner reportedly visited the exhibition just five days before the heist, serving as the first of two reconnaissance visits, the court heard.
On September 14, thieves reportedly drove through locked wooden gates and then broke into Blenheim Palace through a window.
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Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC said previously said: "They knew precisely where to go, broke down the wooden door to the cubicle where the toilet was fully plumbed in, removed it, leaving water pouring out of the pipes, and drove away.
"Clearly such an audacious raid would not have been possible without lots of preparation."
Two men are said to have used 'car' as a codeword for the stolen gold, then made contact with a Hatton Garden jeweler.
The trial continues.