Forensic Justice Season 1 Episode 2 The Loony Loomis Fargo Heist
- TV-MA
- January 23, 2016
- 19 min
Forensic Justice season 1 episode 2, "The Loony Loomis Fargo Heist," introduces viewers to a complex case of robbery and deception that shocked the nation. In May of 1998, a group of individuals led by Steve Chambers attempted to execute the largest cash heist in American history. They targeted the Loomis Fargo & Co. branch in Charlotte, North Carolina, and made off with over $17 million in cash, sending the small town into a frenzy.
The episode features interviews with law enforcement officials, forensic investigators, and even some of the criminals involved in the heist, recounting events that led to the meticulously planned crime and the wild aftermath that ensued. Viewers are taken on a journey from the planning of the heist, through the investigation, and ultimately the trial of the perpetrators.
The episode begins with a brief history of Loomis Fargo & Co, a leading armored truck and cash logistics company. It then takes a deep dive into the events leading up to the theft. We learn that Chambers, a Loomis Fargo employee, was approached by David Ghantt, a former employee, with a plan to rob the company. Ghantt had a personal vendetta against the company and wanted to get back at them for firing him. He convinced Chambers to help him.
The two of them put together a team of people to help plan and execute the heist. They enlisted the help of Kelly Campbell, a dancer and exotic entertainer who would later become Chambers' girlfriend, as a way to launder the stolen cash. The team also included a group of inexperienced criminals who had never seen so much money in their lives.
The episode examines the planning process in detail, showing how the criminals managed to breach the armored car and steal the money. They used their knowledge of the company's procedures to gain access to the vault, disabled the alarms and cameras, and loaded the cash into a van. The heist was executed flawlessly, but the aftermath was anything but.
The episode goes on to describe how Ghantt fled first to Mexico and then to Mexico with his share of the money. He was ultimately caught and sentenced to prison. Chambers and the others were also apprehended, and the investigation turned up a treasure trove of evidence, including large amounts of cash, intricate notes, and photographs.
The second half of the episode focuses on the investigation and trial of the criminals. Utilizing forensic evidence collected at the scene of the crime, investigators were able to build a compelling case against the criminals, one that would ultimately lead to total restitution of the stolen funds.
The final verdict was severe, as all of the criminals involved in the heist faced time in prison. The episode chronicles the trial in detail, including key testimonies and pieces of evidence that helped to secure a conviction.
"The Loony Loomis Fargo Heist" is a gripping tale of greed, deception, and justice. Thanks to the work of dedicated forensic investigators, law enforcement officials, and attorneys, justice was served. The episode serves as a reminder of the power of innovative forensic techniques in uncovering evidence and solving crimes.