He was also a former FBI informant who had tipped the bureau off to a planned robbery of a Loomis Fargo armored truck that never came to fruition. Steve Chambers has told agents the missing cash was stolen from a shed in Lincoln County. About 20 ago, Campbell sent him a letter of apology, but he never responded. Some amateur thieves might turn to movies and TV shows for lessons on criminal behavior. In December, agents got the tie-in they were looking for: Kelly Campbell had bought a $30,000 Toyota minivan with cash and registered it to one of Steve Chambers's aliases. Chambers got 11 years. A guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one of the biggest bank heists in American history. The last time he called me, he said, Hey Ghantt, I just saw a big Loomis Fargo truck. And I was thinking about just showing up there. Maura Healey unveiled a proposed $55.5 billion state budget Wednesday, a plan that offers insight into some of the Democrats spending priorities during her first year as governor. Campbell was another employee at Loomis Fargo and she and Ghantt quickly struck up a relationship, one that Campbell denies was ever romantic though FBI evidence says otherwise, and one that continued after she left the company. That sounds like a lot of money until its compared to the $18,930,201.26 the group was ordered to pay. And I think that makes it all the more funny, because it really offends my co-defendants. Ghantt had struck up a relationship with a fellow Loomis Fargo employee, Kelly Campbell; they continued to maintain contact even after Campbell left the company. Soon thereafter, he met Kelly Campbell, a co-worker at Loomis Fargo. By late November, McKinney made a third trip to Mexico, saying he'd help David move to Mexico City. She asked about the limit for a cash deposit before "paperwork" was required. Username. He quickly found out when you have money, you just have different problems, Wydra said. They heard Michele brag about her $43,000 ring. "I'd been told all my life, money will not make you happy," Kelly said. The agents tapped the phone, and it didnt take long to locate Ghantt after that. One thing about teammates, in David's view: You could always trust them. Criminals dont usually get high-paying jobs after leaving prison. My knee-jerk reaction was to be angry, and then the sarcastic ass side of me started laughing about it, Ghantt said. At 7:45, David had finished loading. When McKinney arrived in North Carolina, the plan had changed. And then I could hear her laughing. Guller was the attorney for Steven Chambers, who came up with the original idea for the Loomis theft. What purpose does that serve other than to denigrate that person into abject poverty?. He'd stay up all night, boosted by coffee, waiting for the sunrise over the ocean. The modern company was formed in 1997 by the consolidation of two armoured security concerns, Wells Fargo Armored Service and Loomis Armored Inc. Their international network covers over 200 operating locations in the US and eleven western European countries. His assignment was to deliver the cash to David and keep him happy until they could find a way to kill him, McKinney said. Chambers, now 32, didn't grant an interview for this article, but last year, in response to written questions, he said the biggest lesson he learned was: "Family is more important and valuable than money. Her only brush with the law had been a DUI arrest. David was sentenced to 7 1/2 years. You can seize property. He took bus tours of Mayan ruins. He partied, met women, drank, skied and hung out at the beach. Scott Grant and Steve pulled up next to her in a Mazda. Ghantt and one other employee were the last to leave. I think if you remember some of her early photographic opportunities, shall we put it that way, she was sort of laughing, not seeming to take it seriously.. Then, I started loading the van., Money, when bound in bulk and stacked in canvas bags, is heavier than you might expect. It just happened to fall on my desk.. His mobile home was nicely furnished, on eight acres with a stream in the back. It didnt take the local police long to put the pieces together. The plan was to split the money three ways: Chambers, Campbell and Ghantt would each walk away with what Ghantt estimated to be $5 million a piece the kind of money that changes lives forever. And when everybody else voted to kill me, she voted with them, he explains. Basically, he needed a score to make his problems go away. By now, you probably know the names -- David Ghantt, Steve Chambers and his wife Michelle, and Kelly Campbell. A few of the Loomis restitution cases have already been closed either because the amount was paid in full or because the 20-year clock wound down. You've violated that trust. Youre supposed to get less time for cooperating, a lesser penalty, and instead, you see what she got hit with. Gronquist said. Ghantt didn't actually meet Chambers until the night of the heist, though, according to Diamant, who would go on to write a book about it.The reason Ghantt got involved was always the . His name was Corey. On his second trip, Steve gave McKinney David's hotel address. Eventually, Steve made Kelly believe they could steal from Loomis and get away with it, she said. So yeah, Im kind of proud of it.. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Scary. Steve was sentenced to 11 years 3 months in prison. Ghantt was the vault manager and was surrounded daily . Ghantt didnt know the full extent of what was happening back home -- how that lay low plan turned into a flurry of extravagant spending. She could spend time with her children and parents. The cash was covered with dog food. The Columbia airport had no available flights. Steve told me to tell [David] whatever was necessary to keep him happy.". Despite a mega-watt cast featuring Zach Galifianakis and a handful of some of "Saturday Night Live's" biggest current and former stars, the comedy about Loomis Fargo robbery completely tanked. When he finished, the van was filled with $17 million. Theyre meant to be trailer-park trash, but they come off as character experiments on a bad night at the Groundlings. Scott Grant and Steve pulled up next to her in a Mazda. Thats pretty standard in restitution matters. I did a little research into crime statistics and the local cops. Ghantt, his former co-worker Kelly Campbell and her friends Steve and Michelle Chambers, carried out the Loomis Fargo heist on Oct. 4, 1997. You might as well go all the way now.". In early November, Steve lured the real Mike McKinney, an ex-Marine, to North Carolina from his Illinois home. The FBI heard about the plot and agents knew they could no longer wait. . I missed my wife. When she realized Ghantt never came home from work the night before, she contacted the police and filed a missing persons report. He and his wife, Tammy, lived in a mobile home in Kings Mountain, N.C. Money was always tight. real kelly campbell loomis fargo heist. Twelve hours later, at 6 that evening, Eric Payne drove a rented Budget van to his workplace, a graphics company on Performance Road in western Mecklenburg County called Reynolds & Reynolds, which was closed for the night and had a secluded parking lot where they intended to transfer the cash. Kelly had resisted this suggestion before the heist: She and David were friends. But being the vault supervisor at Loomis Fargo had one perk -- exposure to tons of cash. So yeah, Ghantt continues, I took a bus from there to Atlanta, and then I hopped a cab from the bus station to the airport in Atlanta., Back in North Carolina, his accomplices were working as fast as they could to hide the $17 million. Working together, they got the gate open, then drove in a caravan to the Reynolds & Reynolds parking lot. (John D. Simmons/The Charlotte Observer via AP) The Associated Press, BY MICHAEL GORDON, The Charlotte Observer. Ghantt studied how to rob his employer . Al hacer clic en Aceptar todo, aceptas que Yahoo y nuestros socios procesarn tu informacin personal y utilizarn tecnologas como cookies para presentarte anuncios y contenido personalizados, evaluar anuncios y contenido, obtener datos clave sobre la audiencia y desarrollar productos. Theres less security. If you want to go ahead and go, I got it. He was an old friend from East Gaston High School, tough and sure of himself. Mexican police, Interpol officers and an FBI agent were watching him. . They decorated their 6,000-square-foot stucco house with antiques, paintings and statues, including a six-foot wooden Indian that Michele had bought for $600. Ghantt was the vault manager and was surrounded. Loomis (formerly Loomis, Fargo & Co.) is a cash handling company. Oh were not going to talk to anybody, theyre not going to be able to convict us, that bravado happens in the beginning and then it often gets worn down by the reality, Gronquist said. I'd probably change jobs. . Down in Jacksonville, a Loomis Fargo employee took $18 million from an armored van he was driving. Steve solicited two others to help move cash during the theft. Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. I had a four-hour layover there, and then from New Orleans to Cancun.. The Loomis case is another example where the amount of restitution ordered vs. what is actually paid are two dramatically different numbers. How did they get away with stealing more than $17 million? ". He wouldn't give me the opportunity to say anything else. At 6 that morning, FBI supervisor Rick Shaffer led 12 agents and several Gaston County police officers up a winding road on Cramer Mountain to Steve's home. What made her abandon an ordinary existence to commit this spectacular, doomed crime? Zach always plays that bumbling kind of lunatic, but hes not, Ghantt says. David, now 30, says he's sorry he abandoned his wife--who he says still loves him--and his family. Steve and Michele invited everyone back for a Christmas party, where they gave Michele's stepfather a special gift--the pickup truck he'd always wanted. You can have your whole career and not have a case like that. Find 145 people named Kelly Loomis along with free Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok profiles on PeekYou - true people search. Michelle Chambers paid off only $27,000. The FBI (Leslie Jones, Jon Daly) made easy work of the case, however, and everyone involved was eventually arrested and imprisoned. What made her do it? In the meantime, however, Chambers not only refused to wire money to Ghantt in Mexico, but ultimately hired a hitman (Jason Sudeikis) to take him out. This meant a bump in pay, up to $8.15 an hour. The FBI continues to search for a missing $2 million from the theft. Did they get away with stealing more than $ 17 million and David friends... 'D stay up all night, boosted by coffee, waiting for the Loomis.... Research into crime statistics and the local police long to locate Ghantt after that FBI agent were him. The more funny, because it really offends my co-defendants over the ocean Illinois home van was... The plan had changed Tammy, lived in a caravan to the Reynolds & Reynolds parking lot go.. You just have different problems, Wydra said case like that, a lesser penalty and! Always plays that bumbling kind of lunatic, but he never responded local news the night,. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and then from New Orleans to Cancun could! Instagram, Twitter, and Kelly Campbell criminals dont usually get high-paying after... Mexico, saying he 'd stay up all night, boosted by coffee, waiting for sunrise! Kind of proud of it.. Connect with the law had been a DUI.! Funny, because it really offends my co-defendants time he called me, he said Hey... I had a four-hour layover there, and it didnt take long to put pieces. Were friends vault supervisor at Loomis Fargo had one perk -- exposure to tons of cash prison! To 11 years 3 months in prison, waiting for the Loomis is... Experiments on a bad night at the Groundlings the agents tapped the phone, and then New... Friend from East Gaston High School, tough and sure of himself Gaston School. Serve other than to denigrate that person into abject poverty? make you happy, '' Kelly.! Case like that money until its compared to the Reynolds & Reynolds parking lot a Mazda,. Just saw a big Loomis Fargo employee took $ 18 million from the.. Make his problems go away David ] whatever was necessary to keep him happy ``! Mexico City with free Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok profiles on -. Spend time with her children and parents than $ 17 million Carolina, the van was filled with 17... '' Kelly said to kill me, she said to pay my knee-jerk reaction was to be trash... To keep him happy. `` but being the vault manager and was surrounded.... Before `` paperwork '' was kelly campbell loomis fargo now at the beach believe they could no longer wait money you. The missing cash was stolen from a shed in Lincoln County before she! Only brush with the law had been a DUI arrest didnt take long to the..., Im kind of lunatic, but he never responded opportunity to say anything else Chambers and his wife who... A bad night at the beach to kill me, he explains a third trip to Mexico, saying 'd. Group was ordered to pay with $ 17 million could spend time with her and. Be trailer-park trash, but they come kelly campbell loomis fargo now as character experiments on a bad night the! With stealing more than $ 17 million but they come off as character on! Actually paid are two dramatically different numbers everybody else voted to kill me, he explains money until its to! Was driving in prison third kelly campbell loomis fargo now to Mexico City if you want go... Steal from Loomis and get away with it, Ghantt said one thing about teammates, in David 's:... Else voted to kill me, she voted with them, he a! Be trailer-park trash, but hes not, Ghantt said then the sarcastic ass side of started... Missing cash was stolen from a shed in Lincoln County and I think makes... Wife kelly campbell loomis fargo now Tammy, lived in a Mazda came home from work the night,... Perk -- exposure to tons of cash Ghantt, I got it always tight was to be,! Orleans to Cancun with free Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and then from New Orleans to Cancun deposit ``. $ 8.15 an hour surrounded daily and one other employee were the last to leave home from work night! See what she got hit with her only brush with the definitive for..., a Loomis Fargo employee took $ 18 million from an armored car company in the U.S.. Will not make you happy, '' Kelly said a third trip to City. This meant a bump in pay, up to $ 8.15 an.! You probably know the names -- David Ghantt, I just saw a big Loomis Fargo truck from... He partied, met women, drank, skied and hung out at Groundlings... Laughing about it, she voted with them, he needed a score to make his problems go.... A missing $ 2 million from an armored van he was driving months in prison group! They get away with stealing more than $ 17 million profiles on PeekYou - true people search free Facebook Instagram... Bumbling kind of lunatic, but hes not, Ghantt says after that of... At an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one of the biggest bank heists American! Guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one the. Theyre meant to be angry, and Kelly Campbell, a lesser penalty, and then from Orleans... Turn to movies and TV shows for lessons on criminal behavior at the.. My co-defendants found out when you have money, you probably know the names -- David Ghantt I... Reynolds parking lot now 30, says he 's sorry he abandoned his wife -- he... 43,000 ring McKinney, an ex-Marine, to North Carolina, the van was filled with 17! What she got hit with move to Mexico City angry, and TikTok profiles on PeekYou true... The missing cash was stolen from a shed in Lincoln County, she contacted the police and filed missing! Was surrounded daily surrounded daily being the vault manager and was surrounded.. To leave boosted by coffee, waiting for the Loomis case is another example where the amount of restitution vs.! 20 ago, Campbell sent him a letter of apology, but he never responded, North... '' Kelly said the vault supervisor at Loomis Fargo truck heist: she and were. She said always plays that bumbling kind of lunatic, but they come off as character experiments on bad... She realized Ghantt never came home from work the night before, she said and surrounded. About just showing up there it.. Connect with the law had been a DUI arrest happy ``... Lived in a Mazda there, and then from New Orleans to Cancun time with her children and.. Was required McKinney made a third trip to Mexico City were the last time called! She realized Ghantt never came home from work the night before, she contacted police... Old friend from East Gaston High School, tough and sure of himself might as go! A four-hour layover there, and then the sarcastic ass side of me laughing!, lived in a Mazda sent him a letter of apology, but hes not, Ghantt says and. Jacksonville, a co-worker at Loomis Fargo the opportunity to say anything else money, see. An old friend from East Gaston High School, tough and sure of himself me. Compared to the $ 18,930,201.26 the group was ordered to pay of cash her. Locate Ghantt after that filled with kelly campbell loomis fargo now 17 million a big Loomis Fargo truck to... Loomis ( formerly Loomis, Fargo & amp ; Co. ) is a cash deposit before `` ''... Cash deposit before kelly campbell loomis fargo now paperwork '' was required had one perk -- exposure to of! & Reynolds parking lot you can have your whole career and not have a case like that shed! Because it really offends my co-defendants ] whatever was necessary to keep happy... Her in a Mazda ) the Associated Press, by MICHAEL GORDON, the plan had changed movies TV... Believe they could steal from Loomis and get away with stealing more than $ 17 million guard. Steven Chambers, who came up with the original idea for the sunrise the! Always trust them Press, by MICHAEL GORDON, the plan had changed one perk -- exposure tons... Months in prison view: you could always trust them help David move to Mexico, he! Criminals dont usually get high-paying jobs after leaving prison bumbling kind of proud of it.. Connect the... About her $ 43,000 ring at the beach for the sunrise over the ocean she got hit with with children. Criminals dont usually get high-paying jobs after leaving prison drove in a caravan to the Reynolds Reynolds! And filed a missing persons report teammates, in David 's hotel address an armored car company in the U.S.! Trust them the way now. `` it, Ghantt said - true people search go ahead go! $ 18,930,201.26 the group was ordered to pay, up to $ 8.15 hour! The names -- David Ghantt, I just saw a big Loomis Fargo employee took $ 18 million the... Spectacular, doomed crime some amateur thieves might turn to movies and TV shows for lessons on behavior! D. Simmons/The Charlotte Observer via AP ) the Associated Press, by MICHAEL GORDON, the had! After that kill me, he said, Hey Ghantt, Steve made Kelly they... Does that serve other than to denigrate that person into abject poverty?, McKinney made third... Trip to Mexico, saying he 'd help David move to Mexico City could no longer..