The Elegant Thief

March 24, 2010 1:43 PM

Parachuting through the Austrian night sky to land on the roof of an castle to steal the Star of Empress Sisi is just the start of the adventures depicted in a fantastic article in Wired on the exploits of one Gerald Blanchard, Criminal Mastermind.
posted by Cobalt (13 comments total)

That illustration...I can hear, very clearly, in my head, the conversation that led to it and the high-five that followed.
posted by circular at 1:46 PM on March 24, 2010

What ... the hell.

If that story is even 10% true ...
posted by krilli at 3:24 PM on March 24, 2010

Wasn't this a Peter Sellers film?
posted by flabdablet at 5:27 PM on March 24, 2010

krilli: "If that story is even 10% true ..."

Apparently yes.
posted by Deflagro at 5:35 PM on March 24, 2010

I love how he got 8 years and then was released in 2. Isn't Canada sweet?
posted by mek at 7:43 PM on March 24, 2010

He's no Raphael De Le Croix, but he's close.
posted by Telf at 8:12 PM on March 24, 2010

It's too bad he didn't use his power for good (taking down ponsi schemers, or exposing banking frauds) but this (former) kid's got huge kahunas. I wonder if he'll end up being a "security consultant" or if he'll just drop out and live out the rest of his life on carefully hidden dirty money?

I suspect, though, that he'll pull off two or three more schemes, semi-retire, then get lured back and get caught because of incompetent team-mates who didn't have half the integrity he does (he never fingered any of his accomplices).
posted by porpoise at 8:29 PM on March 24, 2010

... certainly an interesting read. Thanks for posting it.
posted by ph00dz at 8:49 PM on March 24, 2010

what a read!
posted by knockoutking at 9:40 PM on March 24, 2010

I suspect, though, that he'll pull off two or three more schemes, semi-retire, then get lured back and get caught because of incompetent team-mates who didn't have half the integrity he does (he never fingered any of his accomplices).

Or get pulled out of retirement for "one last job." Because that always goes well....
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:57 AM on March 25, 2010

Wasn't this a Peter Sellers film?

No... a Pinky & the Brain episode.
posted by Doohickie at 7:24 AM on March 25, 2010 [1 favorite]

It is a rare and wonderful thing when life syncs up to DANGER: DIABOLIK!
posted by The Whelk at 8:06 AM on March 25, 2010

That was great. If you guys want another story like this, check out the previously posted The Silver Thief.
posted by exhilaration at 10:04 AM on March 25, 2010