Meet the Man Who Stole $1.4 Billion With a Screwdriver

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 3,5 тыс.

  • @Thoughty2
    @Thoughty2  3 года назад +461

    Thanks for watching! And thanks to Keeps for sponsoring this video! Go to www.keeps.com/thoughty2 to get 50% off your first order of Keeps hair loss treatment.

  • @Siegmeyer_
    @Siegmeyer_ 3 года назад +6469

    His mother destroying all that artwork made me want to cry! All that history wiped away

    • @Zedryx69
      @Zedryx69 3 года назад +171

      At least some of them weren't burned up, and never seen again, but instead thrown into the forest where someone could just find it and either steal it for themselves, or be a good citizen.

    • @MarlonBitoy
      @MarlonBitoy 3 года назад +260

      @Layton Little fun fact: all the historical confederacy statues and plaques come from the 1940s and beyond, funded by former plantation owners and families in an attempt to wipe clean the horrid track records of those people. They realized that most people who remembered that era were dead. In fact, basically no statues honoring the confederacy were built anywhere near to their defeat.

    • @akg_table
      @akg_table 3 года назад +162

      It put a grin on my face. Dozens of regular paintings, obsessed over by billionaires, destroyed unceremoniously with water and fire. Oh well, they'll have to pick some other Lionardo or Vun Go painting to overvalue

    • @RobertCannesRobert
      @RobertCannesRobert 3 года назад +27

      @Lotus dude nobody uses faxs anymore

    • @inyrui
      @inyrui 3 года назад +129

      i don't care about the art really but it pisses me off that they tried to get him off when he clearly did it lol, also she could have easily just hid them somewhere. his mom seems like an idiot

  • @divegabe
    @divegabe 3 года назад +1829

    It was deliberate. He advertised hair loss knowing people would be pulling the hair out when they heard the mother destroying them!

    • @twobrokeguyz1214
      @twobrokeguyz1214 3 года назад +17

      Haha!! Good one!

    • @eddyraye5825
      @eddyraye5825 3 года назад +15

      It's all a plot to sell hair loss medication.

    • @rainbowfrogs1387
      @rainbowfrogs1387 3 года назад +8

      That's so good hahaha

    • @whatkenyan7684
      @whatkenyan7684 3 года назад +8

      of all conspiracy theories I believe in that one because if had really long hair I would have pulled it all out with thumping hands when I heard of the destruction of evidence by the mother. I wish I never watched this video.

    • @MilkmanC
      @MilkmanC 3 года назад +2

      @@whatkenyan7684 I hate those idiots so much. Of course Karen, I mean Mom knew best

  • @michaelhirschbuhl1823
    @michaelhirschbuhl1823 2 года назад +290

    The fact that he stole the art because he just really liked it makes me unexplainably happy 😂

    • @sidneyshaw9205
      @sidneyshaw9205 2 года назад +7

      You think that's funny?

    • @michaelhirschbuhl1823
      @michaelhirschbuhl1823 2 года назад +39

      @@sidneyshaw9205 It’s funny in the sense that he wasn’t motivated by money. It’s just unusual that his only motivation for stealing the art was because he liked it. That makes me chuckle.

    • @OneFatLizard
      @OneFatLizard Год назад

      @@sidneyshaw9205 you're a little bitch lol its just a painting

    • @walteroreilly8963
      @walteroreilly8963 Год назад +3

      That is the reason most stolen art owners do it.

    • @stevenwesleygrahamrap
      @stevenwesleygrahamrap Год назад +2

      Klepto, I knew a kleptomaniac they rarely have a reason to steal, they just do.

  • @MrClintM
    @MrClintM 3 года назад +1000

    The lack of security generally required for millions of people to be able to see works of art and not have anything stolen is proof that most of us humans are to be trusted. It just takes that one person who can cause more harm than millions of others and we all are punished with the expenses of security, locking things up and taking away the warmth of a community.

    • @prepperjonpnw6482
      @prepperjonpnw6482 3 года назад +53

      It doesn’t probe that we are to be trusted lol. It proves that most people are afraid of getting caught lol

    • @RyleeStrange
      @RyleeStrange 3 года назад +28

      it actually proves a lot of things, which proves nothing it means:
      a.) some people are to be trusted
      b.) some don't want to be caught
      c.) some don't care enough about to object to steal it, but given the same chance with a more appetizing object to steal...
      my list could go on.

    • @someuser6747
      @someuser6747 3 года назад +17

      Same as in Airports, its called "security theater", kind like marketing, trying to show the customer value where there is none, or in that case security where ther is none.
      I had pcoket knifes in my backpack without me knowing several times and used the "wrong" elevator at an airport that just transported me to the next level, skipping customs.
      The biggest enemy of actual security is a low budget and lazy guards and managers

    • @dewokbabys3140
      @dewokbabys3140 3 года назад +7

      @@someuser6747 that is simply implausible. A liar you must be.

    • @ShawnJonesHellion
      @ShawnJonesHellion 3 года назад +4

      I was always the best person in the room untill I was shown differently. I felt like I was judging people a little bit incorrectly after the unseen forces in the world gave me a history lesson.

  • @grabble7605
    @grabble7605 3 года назад +3646

    The irony of it all. He stole this art out of appreciation, and he's the reason countless irreplaceable pieces were destroyed forever.

    • @flamingiceclone
      @flamingiceclone 3 года назад +223

      His mother is ....He is a kleptomaniac his mom is a freaking psychopath

    • @grabble7605
      @grabble7605 3 года назад +28

      @@flamingiceclone Say more incorrect things.

    • @Vincent_Beers
      @Vincent_Beers 3 года назад +205

      @@grabble7605 He's not incorrect. Stephane didn't destroy the art, his mother did. Stephane is a kleptomaniac, his mother is a psychopath. Anyone who actually appreciates the art might have stolen it and tried to hide it, but would not destroy it.

    • @grabble7605
      @grabble7605 3 года назад +81

      @@Vincent_Beers He is incorrect. Stephane is not a kleptomaniac and his mother is not a psychopath. Stealing things is not the entire criteria of kleptomania and destroying stuff is not any of the criteria of psychopathy.

    • @palodoxaliqua5809
      @palodoxaliqua5809 3 года назад +38

      @@grabble7605 Then a individual not "destroying stuff" is also "not any of the criteria" for this individual to be the reason for the destruction of said stuff.
      Isn't it fun to argue about pointless details of phrasiology with strangers on the internet? It indeed never gets old to see who has the bigger di.. aehm.. stronger argument.

  • @Aegishand
    @Aegishand 2 года назад +69

    This is one of the most fascinating stories I've heard on your channel, absolutely breathtaking.

    • @AmstradExin
      @AmstradExin 2 года назад +1

      What fascinated me the most is how they got to the USA, including the guard who had time to get into a USA police uniform (:

  • @wizmanballin8498
    @wizmanballin8498 3 года назад +453

    He had the same insatiable desire for art I used to have for lemon twist donuts in high school. How I loved the taste of thee!!

    • @WhuDhat
      @WhuDhat 3 года назад +8

      That sounds good, don't think I've had one before, are they filled? Or topped with lemon icing?

    • @wizmanballin8498
      @wizmanballin8498 3 года назад +15

      @@WhuDhat It was a lemon glaze. They were so good I would literally cut grass for money to get some of those things..until I got a summer job in my sophomore year. It was smooth sailing ever since.😂👍

    • @WhuDhat
      @WhuDhat 3 года назад +7

      @@wizmanballin8498 haha nice, I'll keep an eye out for them next time I'm at a donut shop or bakery. I've had lemon filled donuts before and always liked them, kind of rare to find though.

    • @vibaj16
      @vibaj16 3 года назад +4

      so you're saying you stole 1.4 billion dollars worth of lemon twist donuts?

    • @wizmanballin8498
      @wizmanballin8498 3 года назад +1

      @@vibaj16 You need life lessons....🤔

  • @jackdurden466
    @jackdurden466 3 года назад +644

    I am actually feeling a physical sick reaction to the mothers burning of such art. It’s happened long ago many times when rulers during the medieval period and earlier would in war destroy entire libraries and any museum just to erase history of the invaded lands. And so much, if not all, were single prints without any other copies and all lost to fires. An enormous amount of history gone up in smoke.

    • @bczarrockbeast6264
      @bczarrockbeast6264 3 года назад +20

      It's still happening they don't even need fire now just a couple clicks an boom its gone.

    • @pebblepod30
      @pebblepod30 3 года назад +18

      IKr, me too. I was expecting they would not be harmed. Her son would not have wanted them harmed.

    • @montanateri6889
      @montanateri6889 3 года назад +2

      Makes my breath short... my skin crawls... OMG.... irreplaceable!

    • @mobilemcsmarty1466
      @mobilemcsmarty1466 3 года назад +16

      yeah, a city lady at that age should have known the value to the world when going to destroy such irreplaceable history. I know she wanted to protect her son. that's what moms will and should do. for all that effort, she and the girlfriend could have cooperated to find some other nice anonymous attic or garage to store the loot. if not for the mom's poor effort at destruction, the kid would be out easy again. in adding just one more step to find alternate storage, the art would be saved and the kid also out. he was still doomed because he couldn't bring himself to stop. important lessons here- 1. don't steal art. 2. moderate your bad habits 3. don't talk to cops 😎

    • @MightyDrunken
      @MightyDrunken 3 года назад +7

      My dad told me the story of one of his uncles. He was a linguist who knew 10+ languages and worked for the MOD as a translator. During the war he helped Jews escape from Nazi Germany. He had an extensive library of many rare books.
      When he died, his wife burnt all the books. ;{

  • @dwalters98
    @dwalters98 2 года назад +51

    The ironic part is if the mother had just hid the artwork in some way instead of trying to destroy and dispose of it the way she had, it could of possibly gone WAY different for him.

    • @LRM12o8
      @LRM12o8 2 года назад +4

      If her flat and the attic her son lived in were different units, then she could just have hidden the artworks in her flat or the basement, since the police only got a search warrant for her son's flat...

    • @DubultaisT
      @DubultaisT 4 месяца назад

      That is not how woman mind think. They are irrational beings not capable of thinking few moves ahead. 😭

  • @TheFrozenBanana
    @TheFrozenBanana 3 года назад +60

    How is this not a movie?! Such a good arc, excitement and tragedy. I'd watch it.

    • @daemonbane1
      @daemonbane1 2 года назад

      Mans still confirmed stealing as of 2019 so I think we have a few more years before his story has enough of an ending for that movie to work.

  • @ivanstayner8818
    @ivanstayner8818 3 года назад +238

    People never expect the simple and easiest ways to do something. They think something like stealing art is going to take months of planning, and a team of people. So when you do the EXACT opposite of that. People will never assume it would ever happen.

    • @ShawnJonesHellion
      @ShawnJonesHellion 3 года назад +4

      when one pass security everything they are looking for is right in front of their face. - The story of the boy who stole (valueable) wagons filled with useless dirt from the castle

    • @notallowed337
      @notallowed337 2 года назад +6

      It all depends on the situation.
      Some require months even years of planning while another job that has a similar result only requires a screwdriver level of planning and effort.

    • @courier6960
      @courier6960 2 года назад +6

      A lot of security is mainly theater, it’s there to prevent people from thinking that they can steal something, not to actually prevent theft. This is effectively border security and the TSA to a tee.

    • @repatch43
      @repatch43 2 года назад

      If you just want to stare at the piece in the privacy of your own home, yes. If you want to fence the piece and get cash out of your effort? I does takes months of planning, and certainly a team of fences to make it happen, unless you want to get caught.

    • @dragonateminer1112
      @dragonateminer1112 2 года назад

      Thus, Occam's razor

  • @raconte-moialice9509
    @raconte-moialice9509 2 года назад +110

    You’re an excellent narrator, I felt like I was there 😁

    • @Miswak.
      @Miswak. 2 года назад +1

      Me too! I was the officer in the background at 19:17

    • @kayasper6081
      @kayasper6081 2 года назад +1

      I felt you watched over my shoulder while I stole the paintings

  • @Octave_Rolland
    @Octave_Rolland 3 года назад +176

    There's a moral in there, in the way his obsessive love for these art pieces led to their destruction.

    • @jefffarris3359
      @jefffarris3359 3 года назад +7

      So true. That's usually what happens with obsessing over something.

    • @Nobody-11B
      @Nobody-11B 3 года назад +2

      Rod serling would have been proud of the story...

    • @leeking6939
      @leeking6939 3 года назад +4

      Like a moth to a flame

    • @SlapstickGenius23
      @SlapstickGenius23 3 года назад

      @@leeking6939 but moths are nocturnal and follow the moon instead of a flame.

    • @leeking6939
      @leeking6939 3 года назад +3

      @@SlapstickGenius23 nope moths are drawn to fire. They can't help themselves. That's why they enter it and die. If you have been to a camp you will understand

  • @bendystudios7798
    @bendystudios7798 2 года назад +1000

    This man is the most non evil criminal that I have ever seen. It’s surprising that he just kept the artwork around the house as a token of his love for art. I respect that.

    • @mozziegang
      @mozziegang 2 года назад +26

      and then proceeded to have it all get destroyed. yeah pssh right respect.

    • @dshmechanic
      @dshmechanic 2 года назад +73

      @@mozziegang Not according to the video, if you watched it through until the end. He had no idea what his mother was doing to the priceless pieces as he languished in police custody. I'm thinking when he finally found out his mother destroyed them, he was a wee bit pissed.

    • @mozziegang
      @mozziegang 2 года назад +6

      @@dshmechanic lol ok the judicial system can hold him responsible for the destruction too. its his fault that he put the art pieces in a position where they could be so easily destroyed, now some people here in the comments are legit putting him on a pedestal.

    • @joesmoe2245
      @joesmoe2245 2 года назад +1

      Yeah then his mother burned and destroyed the rest. How lovely was that appreciation 😅

    • @mozziegang
      @mozziegang 2 года назад +5

      @@issadraco532 chill mam this is just a comment 😅

  • @reypolice5231
    @reypolice5231 2 года назад +34

    What is probably most disturbing is this was never put on the news. This is the first I'm hearing about this and it's a 20-year-old event. He's probably still running around doing it. They keep letting him out after a few years.

    • @daemonbane1
      @daemonbane1 2 года назад +2

      Well, he got caught in 2005, published his book in 2006, Got caught again in both 2011 and 2019 and clearly the book sales weren't enough given he was trying to sell the paperweight online. He's been proven to be actively stealing from ages 25 through ~48, so I'm pretty sure he's not getting better.
      At this point its just untreated serial kleptomania and he'll probably be stealing for his whole life.

    • @hamsandwich1333
      @hamsandwich1333 Год назад +4

      Disturbing? It’s downright hilarious. He should get a job as a museum security inspector and they should pay him for showing them how vulnerable their pieces are. 😂 what a guy

    • @reypolice5231
      @reypolice5231 Год назад

      @@hamsandwich1333
      Not funny as he destroyed hundreds of original art work.
      I think they were copies as nobody put up a fuss.

    • @hamsandwich1333
      @hamsandwich1333 Год назад

      @@reypolice5231 he didn’t destroy nothing, his mother did. Also art is overvalued anyway. It’s all just some random people’s scribbles. The majority of it doesn’t even look pleasant anyways. People who think art is some priceless commodity never grew up and are half retarded.

    • @reypolice5231
      @reypolice5231 Год назад

      @@hamsandwich1333
      A picture is worth a thousand works. His actions of theft premeditated, lead to his mother destroying the evidence.
      Weather you value art or not it is some else's work and someone else's property. If art doesn't communicate to you, kindly go to a museum or art gallery and find something that you find beautiful and dose communicate joy, and love, or brings you peace.
      If you can't or won't look at man's creations, kindly look at all that the creator made around you. It's all Art, a butterfly, a puppy, a flower, the world is god's art gallery and man copies it because it is beautiful.
      Yes the dollar value it opinion.
      But the real value is it's impact on people's lives. The impact that art had on mankind and his peace is forever lost.
      Kindly look for the joy in all the art that is around you. Some of it is not my taste, but some of it is. Never the less it dose resonate with someone else,
      Hope you find something beautiful to look at and marvel. A tree, a mountain, a forest, morning sunrise over a valley with the fog lifting and the birds singing, all Art and some people capture that moment in art, some don't.

  • @giormr_heks
    @giormr_heks 3 года назад +175

    Anyone else noticed an interesting painting at 9:12? The sixth in the third row.

    • @bobbiusshadow6985
      @bobbiusshadow6985 3 года назад +28

      Of course
      edit: But did you notice the little Easter eggs, such as the "miso soup escape artist" in one of the paintings

    • @giormr_heks
      @giormr_heks 3 года назад +11

      @@bobbiusshadow6985 I didn't notice it, good eye

    • @PMA65537
      @PMA65537 3 года назад +3

      ratio of circumference to diameter

    • @oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164
      @oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164 3 года назад +11

      That's THE Moustache by Renoir.

    • @Jaker2123
      @Jaker2123 3 года назад +3

      Hahahaaaa yep

  • @inzomniacZz
    @inzomniacZz 3 года назад +640

    Steph stealing the art just to enjoy and collect it rather than make a quick buck- that's funnily wholesome.
    Hurts my soul to know his mom destroyed em though, bet it ruined Steph's day too lol.

    • @UrSoulsBelong2No1
      @UrSoulsBelong2No1 3 года назад +18

      I'd be devastated tbh... *depressing*

    • @ghe5669
      @ghe5669 3 года назад +51

      Even more wholesome when you consider the fact that he took the bullet for his GF. He must've really loved her.

    • @Automat1cJack
      @Automat1cJack 3 года назад +16

      Agreed. Best reason to nick some shit is because you like it.

    • @starfishfuukow6860
      @starfishfuukow6860 3 года назад +14

      I thought so too at first but then realized he was actually being selfish. I am sure other art lovers would’ve wanted to be able to appreciate them too, he just wanted to keep them for himself

    • @SlapstickGenius23
      @SlapstickGenius23 3 года назад

      Steph the thief’s Family is so screwed up.

  • @vavet314
    @vavet314 2 года назад +4

    Stories like this need to be movies or a short film

    • @willwrite3675
      @willwrite3675 Год назад

      Who told you there are no movies

    • @vavet314
      @vavet314 Год назад

      Well point me to the movie or short film sir

  • @Theineluctable_SOME_CANT
    @Theineluctable_SOME_CANT 3 года назад +584

    "And, like all good stories, this one starts with cheese."
    Obviously a Wallace and Grommet fan.

    • @bczarrockbeast6264
      @bczarrockbeast6264 3 года назад +8

      Oh I thought you were quoting hunter biden. Lol

    • @peterroberts4415
      @peterroberts4415 3 года назад +2

      @@bczarrockbeast6264 Lets just say this guy wouldn't be stealing Hunter's paintings, unlike his Chinese buddies

    • @Foolish188
      @Foolish188 3 года назад +2

      I forgot about Wallace and Grommit, thought it was a reference to Mr. Sensible. Lol

    • @harrycollins3248
      @harrycollins3248 3 года назад +1

      @@bczarrockbeast6264 I don't get the connection?

    • @smelliotshamlington567
      @smelliotshamlington567 3 года назад +5

      Wallace is my idol.

  • @russellconn
    @russellconn 3 года назад +231

    I can't believe how atrocious the security was in those museums especially the one he revisited multiple times.

    • @Automat1cJack
      @Automat1cJack 3 года назад +5

      You'd think they'd up their security game after that shit

    • @RainbowYak
      @RainbowYak 3 года назад +16

      As a Swiss I can assure you this is very normal here because literally everything in Switzerland is about trust. Swiss people are generally very honest and we all trust each other, so the idea that some people might actually have bad intentions usually doesn't even cross our minds until someone actually does something bad.

    • @melody3741
      @melody3741 3 года назад +1

      Yeah museums who go through all your shit and then dont let you get close enough to even see the paintings because they dont trust you fucking suck

    • @Foolish188
      @Foolish188 3 года назад +3

      Most Museums have very small budgets.

    • @1locust1
      @1locust1 3 года назад +1

      In this instance the thief was a foreigner.

  • @yeshrunprakashminz
    @yeshrunprakashminz 11 месяцев назад +2

    15:48 lol love the Easter egg of your past videos, instantly recognised that picture is frm the greatest prison escape with miso soup video

  • @josephine1468
    @josephine1468 3 года назад +333

    who will win?
    A security team/system and a police force
    or
    Handy Manny

    • @josephine1468
      @josephine1468 3 года назад +8

      please stop replying with crappy foreign spirituality channel spam

    • @simmonedavis98
      @simmonedavis98 3 года назад +1

      Handy Manny, of course! Why is this even a question? Lmao

    • @Sunny-ff8xi
      @Sunny-ff8xi 3 года назад

      Handy manny!

    • @MrBelles104
      @MrBelles104 3 года назад +1

      Security team. He only had the guts to steal from small museums with barley any security.

    • @moon_wei
      @moon_wei 3 года назад +1

      Can we fix it?
      No Bob just sign the divorce papers

  • @jackbriar8947
    @jackbriar8947 3 года назад +44

    I love how he put a picture of cartoon Yoshie Shiratori holding the bowl of miso from the previous video as a painting in the museum at 15:48

    • @zarashah
      @zarashah 3 года назад

      Smart to catch that little detail

  • @djlee3276
    @djlee3276 2 года назад +1

    16:37, loved the last question!!!!! PROMISES NOT TO DO IT AGAIN? Yes

  • @sergetheijspartner2005
    @sergetheijspartner2005 3 года назад +92

    All those priceless paintings burned or waterdamaged, i nearly got a heart attack when you got to that bit, holy crap what a loss and I am not even an art fan myself, but to me it is not the paintings themselves, or the value of money but the sheer link to times long gone, the history they depicted from times we can't even imagine anymore, like seeing the last pictures of your beloved dead grandmother burning in a housefire, memories gone forever.

    • @junyaiwase
      @junyaiwase 2 года назад +11

      the world before: 🌎 the world after: 🌎

    • @dshmechanic
      @dshmechanic 2 года назад +5

      Well...I know this is rather small solace, but, on the bright side, we DO still have great photographs of all the destroyed works. Of course, nothing beats an original, but it's something, however small.

    • @mrfrenzy.
      @mrfrenzy. 2 года назад +1

      What makes you think all of the paintings were burned? Obviously she would have hid away some of them to retrieve later.

    • @sergetheijspartner2005
      @sergetheijspartner2005 2 года назад +3

      @Tom R but why are they valuable, it is not like the canvas, the wood frames, the paints or the oils where expensive materials on the contrary...It is their link to history that make them expensive, imagine we had pictures or videos of those times, then maybe they would not be as valuable as they are now, it's because we do not have any videos or pictures from those Era's that these paintings become more valuable, it's like our only link to those times depicting life, clothing, foods, themes etc.... (Off course I am not talking about abstract art). The value however is abstract aswell, you can't put a real nr on it, people tried and gave them a monetary value but actually they are priceless. It is like I said, I have pictures of my great grandparents, grandparents, pics and vids of my parents and my brother or even my son being born and growing up, imagine them burning up in a housefire? all those memories, all those times, gone forever, like tears in the rain (yeah I stole that line from Bladerunner but it's a good analogy)

    • @repatch43
      @repatch43 2 года назад +2

      @@sergetheijspartner2005 No, they are valuable because they are unique, and because someone did some great marketing. There isn't any inherent value of these pieces beyond the thousands of similar pieces from the same era.
      It's people SAYING they are valuable that is making them valuable.

  • @coreylong4855
    @coreylong4855 3 года назад +31

    i love that you put a portrait of yourself with all the portraits he stole. That was a good one

  • @Krullmatic
    @Krullmatic 2 года назад +11

    What a great story! Damn, I can't believe his mom destroyed them! Surely she could've found someplace to hide them. Was they ever able to fix any of the paintings that were damaged?

    • @synchronicity-thelanguageo3991
      @synchronicity-thelanguageo3991 Год назад +1

      Nope, because they were all completely burnt to ashes, which then brings up a question. Why did the mother make the 'I burnt this artwork, so you couldn't find the artwork' excuse by knowing full well she was going to lead the investigators to the ashes???? Seems like we're assuming she's being honest and no manipulation is going on. I suspect he mother has thrown some artwork on the fire, you know the cheaper ones, and also created some splashes of paint on some cheap paper ext and thrown that on the fire too...giving the impression that she burnt it all. What if, this isn't the end of the story? Imagine it isn't, and in 20 years Thoughty2 has to make a new video how the mother had the same genes for manipulation and keeping artwork. 😝

  • @odarrien
    @odarrien 3 года назад +93

    Seems he appreciated artwork more than many who own them for the sake of owning 'expensive art'.

    • @Faradeth1111
      @Faradeth1111 2 года назад +7

      Art is tax evasion for most owners, lets say they buy it for 3 mil 5 years later they hire their own appraiser and evaluate the painting at 25mil for reasons inflation that it hasnt appeared in public etc. etc..After that they donate said painting to a museum and hooray 20+ mil saved on taxes from the tax deduction. What they are doing is essentially pre paying their taxes at a 90% discount and if you own a gallery acquiring said art is a tax deduction to begin with.

    • @ax3226
      @ax3226 Год назад

      It’s investment

  • @thejudgmentalcat
    @thejudgmentalcat 3 года назад +376

    "This man stole 1.5 billion dollars worth of art with a screwdriver" - original title

    • @jonwashburn7999
      @jonwashburn7999 3 года назад +2

      Thanks

    • @dolchzb
      @dolchzb 3 года назад +8

      no, original title was "Meet the Greatest Art Thief of All Time". some buzz words but a damn bold statement

    • @hapwn
      @hapwn 3 года назад +2

      Meet The Most Autistic Artistic Artisan Thief in History! 👈😂

    • @jacobfredman9442
      @jacobfredman9442 3 года назад

      to be honest 10/10 better title

    • @voodoochile7581
      @voodoochile7581 3 года назад +3

      Aaron changes the title once he uploads. A clever trick that makes his videos look more appealing. Not that aren’t appearing. This channel is amazing

  • @shuruff904
    @shuruff904 2 года назад +3

    Thoughty2.....
    I know you'll never see this, but your videos are some if the greatest on RUclips. I know that you know this, but you have many fans and we all love you and your work. Greetings from Jacksonville, Fl.!!!!!

  • @equable1181
    @equable1181 3 года назад +61

    This is one of my favorite stories I’ve heard so far. Bravo

  • @georgfranko
    @georgfranko 3 года назад +288

    Art costs as much as the buyer is willing to pay for it . So in his eyes he may think he stole 50$ in total :D

    • @tsmith3286
      @tsmith3286 3 года назад +2

      Exactly

    • @VivekYadav-ds8oz
      @VivekYadav-ds8oz 3 года назад +30

      Damn the lawyer must've used this to reduce his sentence.

    • @NarwahlGaming
      @NarwahlGaming 3 года назад +45

      "Art costs the amount of money someone needs to launder."

    • @dallywang6143
      @dallywang6143 3 года назад +2

      Surely the seller also has a say in it?

    • @veryfrozen3271
      @veryfrozen3271 3 года назад +11

      @@NarwahlGaming need to move 500million and insure it without paying taxes??? 🤣😂

  • @vanesslifeygo
    @vanesslifeygo 2 года назад +2

    Ah, so that's why security cameras are now shielded by glass.

  • @12Ger13
    @12Ger13 3 года назад +13

    That ending was painful, all those beautiful paintings sent to oblivion (only few people in the world had the chance to watch them live).

  • @shannonhensley2942
    @shannonhensley2942 3 года назад +77

    My heart breaks that his mom threw art in a river and burned the rest makes me so sad. Were there not any options? Could she have not taken to the woods and buried them. Or idk thrown a tarp over them.

    • @tebmc3466
      @tebmc3466 2 года назад +1

      U really belive that lol

    • @ErieRosewood
      @ErieRosewood 2 года назад +11

      yeah, I was hoping he'd say she took them to a storage unit. hearing she destroyed them, tat hurt my soul

    • @jamesbizs
      @jamesbizs 2 года назад +4

      Ah yes lol. Bury paintings. That will keep them safe 😂

  • @paparoysworkshop
    @paparoysworkshop 2 года назад +2

    So many items of art and history have been lost in the past for many reasons. To purposely burn them is so heart breaking.

  • @Gamer_io
    @Gamer_io 3 года назад +161

    This guy is the frickin’ Agent 47 who steals paintings.

    • @univuniveral9713
      @univuniveral9713 3 года назад +2

      I hate thieves who steal art. It is really not cool and it is weak.

    • @Gamer_io
      @Gamer_io 3 года назад +7

      @@univuniveral9713 well, I hate thieves in general. 😅

    • @Adama.1
      @Adama.1 3 года назад +7

      @@univuniveral9713 I don't care if someone steals art from a museum. I hate thieves who steal from people's homes more.

    • @Foolish188
      @Foolish188 3 года назад +5

      @@Gamer_io I hate people who use the Government to steal from Peter to give to Paul, thinking they did something noble. But can't reach into their own pocket to give to Paul themselves.

  • @KiingDa3rd
    @KiingDa3rd 3 года назад +41

    Honestly, big thumbs up for your editing. Great work. Nobody mentions it, so I will.

  • @omisam2928
    @omisam2928 2 года назад +1

    His mother destroying all that artwork , All that history and 18 months in jail ? ignorance and foolishness that hurts humanity must suitably punished

  • @honestlydontcareduh885
    @honestlydontcareduh885 3 года назад +21

    I'm not a huge fan of art but to destroy it all like that is absolutely crazy.

  • @mohammadaminrajabi1828
    @mohammadaminrajabi1828 3 года назад +81

    Omg. The moment he said "they just let the greatest art thievf in history get away" I jump out of my seat. Great way to start the video. So exciting.

    • @roblazer6999
      @roblazer6999 3 года назад

      Thanks for spoiling

    • @blurrr8060
      @blurrr8060 3 года назад +2

      @@roblazer6999 why u in the comments before u watch the vid lol whatchu expect

    • @Ultamami
      @Ultamami 3 года назад

      *thief

    • @mohammadaminrajabi1828
      @mohammadaminrajabi1828 3 года назад +1

      @@roblazer6999 wtf are you doing in the comment section. The video is up there

    • @mohammadaminrajabi1828
      @mohammadaminrajabi1828 3 года назад

      @@Ultamami yeah, a typo

  • @alvarezz09
    @alvarezz09 Год назад

    your voice for telling stories is impeccable

  • @taitano12
    @taitano12 3 года назад +15

    I've heard this story before. It's a good one. In the other version I heard, he'd started bawling when they told him about the ones his momma burned. The others could be restored, but those are lost forever.

    • @glenns5627
      @glenns5627 3 года назад +2

      Probably just like the partners/parents/victims of alcoholics dumping their found booze... "He'll never see THIS crap again!"

    • @slamyourheadin9449
      @slamyourheadin9449 2 года назад +10

      @@glenns5627 it ain’t “crap” it’s art that is hundreds of years old and holds a lot of history. You really comparing priceless art to alcohol?

    • @justin01144
      @justin01144 2 года назад +2

      @@slamyourheadin9449 come on.. use common sense.. he's making a metaphor. He saying that was his addiction as alcohol is to someone and it similarly hurt him to know they were destroyed as it would a alcoholic to know their alcohol was flushed.

  • @controllerbrothers1230
    @controllerbrothers1230 3 года назад +10

    Your videos are getting more and more addicting fr

  • @major_trollum
    @major_trollum 2 года назад

    my god..! what a magNIFICENT painting in that oval frame at 9:10 ! now THAT is art!

  • @lukegehring5305
    @lukegehring5305 3 года назад +71

    Fascinating, disgusting and depressing all at the same time.

    • @Adama.1
      @Adama.1 3 года назад +2

      disgusting?

    • @ltdan6466
      @ltdan6466 3 года назад +1

      depressing?

    • @Adama.1
      @Adama.1 3 года назад +4

      @@ltdan6466 I can see depressing, the part about all the art being burned. But nothing in this video can be considered disgusting

    • @shonsenjaime177
      @shonsenjaime177 2 года назад

      @Maksym yes

  • @Kazooples
    @Kazooples 3 года назад +34

    This makes me so sad, he was completely devastated by the loss of the artwork, I don’t blame him.

    • @synchronicity-thelanguageo3991
      @synchronicity-thelanguageo3991 Год назад

      Allegedly all burnt...you're assuming that this story is at the ending. Don't be surprised if the mother isn't on in 'keeping the artwork' by pretending to be a crazy loon burning it all. I suspect, this was a coy to trick authorities I mean the making the fire obvious is a little odd. She burnt it all so she could say, 'I burnt all the painting'. You see, something doesn't add up it is almost like she wanted them to think that. I would just burn some of the crappier art pieces, cheaper ones. Then I would get some paint, and splash some paint on bits of paper and throw them in a big fire...lol

  • @Violetskate
    @Violetskate 2 года назад +1

    This is literally the most entertaining channel ever

  • @yugenheorte6828
    @yugenheorte6828 3 года назад +12

    21:37 for a second I expected to hear "when they searched his prison cell they found countless priceless works of stolen art xD"

  • @y.r.p4017
    @y.r.p4017 3 года назад +32

    The release of a new Thoughty 2 video is the most Anticipated & Exciting Notification i recieve. Thanks for the dedication and passion that goes into each video.
    ( Love how the sponsors are inserted in some videos you can't help but laugh at the timing & lead up ) Hope that you keep making videos until the golden years

    • @Automat1cJack
      @Automat1cJack 3 года назад +1

      Thoughty2 does a great job of transitioning into sponsored ads. Sometimes you don't even know he's launching into them

  • @susim4503
    @susim4503 2 года назад +147

    The sheer selfishness of this entire story takes my breath away. An art lover who disregards all the other art lovers and the mother willing to destroy irreplacable art. They were not just stealing from the owners or galleries, they stole the experience of seeing that art from us all. This guy didn't have big balls, he lacked the empathy to understand the enormity of what he was doing.

    • @vox_5747
      @vox_5747 2 года назад +28

      nah dudes balls were massive, this is the coolest theft story ive seen in ages

    • @ZenanWigton
      @ZenanWigton 2 года назад +1

      The mothers evil, but the guys a legend. The world sucks and people are monsters, who cares if others get to enjoy things??? Man's just wanted HIS art. He stole it fair and square with his massive Cojones! You wanna enjoy art go make or take your own chief 😅

    • @sejfeti
      @sejfeti 2 года назад

      He’s balls are as huge as they get. No one cares about them weird paintings. Good on him.

    • @vox_5747
      @vox_5747 2 года назад

      @You'll never know me because this is the internet you'll never know mwahahahaha

    • @honeybadgerisme
      @honeybadgerisme 2 года назад +2

      sociopathy would also explain his "very cool under pressure" part, as well

  • @daemonthorn5888
    @daemonthorn5888 3 года назад +344

    OMFG!!!! I can't believe she burned all of that priceless art! Just to save her idiot son from going to jail. That is an absolute tragedy. It makes me sick to my stomach.

    • @spacesciencelab
      @spacesciencelab 3 года назад +5

      Yes it was unesseesery

    • @omggom2488
      @omggom2488 2 года назад +14

      What's makes it even worse is the fact that her son only got 3 years in prison for that which imo is way too low and not that much in general

    • @waribra599
      @waribra599 2 года назад +13

      China can make new ones

    • @davendrasingh3260
      @davendrasingh3260 2 года назад +30

      thats the greatest mom ever on the plannet. are u nuts

    • @azardean685
      @azardean685 2 года назад

      @@waribra599 made what went wong

  • @frozemoments39
    @frozemoments39 3 года назад +42

    I spent 2 years in Lucern, Zug, Interlaken and Chomonixue France. Lucern is a very laid back place. Stefano, as I use to call him , hung out with me and my Swiss miss in little Immense, Switzerland for 3 weeks in 2002. Most people knew him as Lucky. Idk why.🤔. I’ve been watched here in Tennessee multiple times but live a normal life. True Story.

    • @eyeball7465
      @eyeball7465 2 года назад

      Lucky cos he didn't get caught

  • @sibtainhaider2411
    @sibtainhaider2411 2 года назад +3

    Moral of the story, art is priceless.
    Those who can't pay, may just Take it.

  • @trey-vaughnperez1800
    @trey-vaughnperez1800 2 года назад +12

    Oh this man gonna hate NFT’s

  • @effingsix3825
    @effingsix3825 3 года назад +4

    The problem here is economic. Subsistence wages(or not even) for the underclass, waiters, security guards, nurses, perhaps even police.

  • @theresabraddock9310
    @theresabraddock9310 2 года назад

    'blue geezer playing guitar" I nearly spit my coffee out laughing!

  • @mhenchion6524
    @mhenchion6524 2 года назад +5

    This would be such an amazing movie

  • @MustangWriter
    @MustangWriter 3 года назад +62

    This was a sad story to those of us who also love art.

    • @inyrui
      @inyrui 3 года назад +7

      yeah that mom is a real bitch lol. i'm sure if the guy really appreciated the art he wouldn't have wanted it destroyed and would have had a contingency plan for this, probably one that didn't involve a river. maybe the mom didn't know the value or just valued her son more, who knows. still a fucked thing to do to try to save someone who is so clearly guilty

    • @TheDramacist
      @TheDramacist 3 года назад +2

      Devastating

    • @aldavedario4818
      @aldavedario4818 3 года назад +2

      @@inyrui dude was lucky. me mum would've sold me out and gave me a huge slap in the face after my dad clapped me with a stick lol

    • @z3al0t
      @z3al0t 3 года назад

      Or money

  • @jimmyzhao2673
    @jimmyzhao2673 2 года назад +1

    He should have just got one of those HD tv's that you hang on the wall and it cycles through artwork.

  • @T.v.d.V
    @T.v.d.V 3 года назад +24

    Absolutely beautifull life. So beautifull to have that view at home. Funny problem that gets bigger and bigger.

  • @Rooftopaccessorizer
    @Rooftopaccessorizer 3 года назад +12

    This is the most wholesome and amazing story ive ever seen. It really balances out the level of stupidity and baffling culture around modern fine art culture.

  • @randymoore4027
    @randymoore4027 2 года назад +5

    “The Maiden Heist” film (2009) has a similar plot whereby “Art” is stolen “out of love…”

  • @justinthyme5730
    @justinthyme5730 3 года назад +11

    I don't think he stole them all... he only confessed to doing so. Who really knows what paintings his mother had burned... or didn't burn? Therefore there is no precise record. Some lucky art thieves now own paintings that are assumed burned or are assumed were stolen by this master art thief.

    • @SF-fb6lv
      @SF-fb6lv 3 года назад +1

      It's weird I haven't run into an exact accounting. Don't the museums/their insurance carriers know?

    • @justinthyme5730
      @justinthyme5730 3 года назад

      @@SF-fb6lv The insurance companies would have a record of significant paintings. But there is still no proof that this particular art thief stole them all. It would be convenient for the police to frame (no pun intended) this guy to close up their art theft records.

  • @Mluera
    @Mluera 2 года назад +6

    People plan art heists for years with a handful of people and this guy just strolls in and picks it up and leaves

  • @ganymede3141
    @ganymede3141 2 года назад +1

    Great prisoner number at 12:50. Highly irrational, but I love it.

    • @amynoacid
      @amynoacid 2 года назад

      I had to scroll so long to.find someone else who noticed the number was pi

    • @ganymede3141
      @ganymede3141 2 года назад +1

      @@amynoacid 👍👍 It was super subtle, but loved the little easter egg.

  • @BostonJon420
    @BostonJon420 3 года назад +13

    Moral of the story never tell the police anything even when they seem to hold all the cards.

  • @treesaregreen
    @treesaregreen 3 года назад +9

    i want to see that police confession interview, 'JCS criminal psychology' style

    • @icekitty400
      @icekitty400 3 года назад +1

      They probably used the 'stealing from the cookie jar' technique. 😂

  • @jerrylloel6331
    @jerrylloel6331 2 года назад

    Honestly I believe the paintings are just chillin somewhere !?! The greatest heist ever !! 🤓😎

  • @RobertCannesRobert
    @RobertCannesRobert 3 года назад +6

    "balls of legend" and "blue geezer playing quitar" cracked me up good xD

  • @dk-bw4gk
    @dk-bw4gk 3 года назад +9

    I'm glad Yoshi Shiratori finally got the recognition he deserves.

  • @thejakefromstatefarm6768
    @thejakefromstatefarm6768 2 года назад +1

    Blue geezer playing guitar is one of the finest pieces of art ever created.

  • @real_naps
    @real_naps 3 года назад +46

    Shouldn’t all of them be incased in a box / protector due to them being high value?

    • @Natural_Power
      @Natural_Power 3 года назад +4

      He stole A LOT of art but not super high value, these were probably rather cheap ($50-$200) and not expected to be stolen

    • @Natural_Power
      @Natural_Power 3 года назад +11

      @Lindy T Didn't think it trough
      He admitted to stealing about 170 pieces but it's thought he stole around 250, which'd put the average art piece at 5mil in value

    • @dudexd908
      @dudexd908 3 года назад +1

      @@Natural_Power well i guess they weren‘t as high of value at the time they were stolen

    • @EnigmaticLucas
      @EnigmaticLucas 3 года назад +2

      @@Natural_Power Fun Fact: Before it was stolen and returned, the Mona Lisa was considered one of da Vinci's lesser-quality works

    • @hapwn
      @hapwn 3 года назад +2

      It must of been Hunter Bidens work. That's why all he got was a slap on the wrist. Possibly a pat on the back too for getting rid of that horrid display.

  • @theursulus
    @theursulus 3 года назад +5

    He must have been heartbroken to learn his mum had torched part of his collection.. can't believe that burning beautiful irreplaceable art.. 😢

  • @wayneciabaszewski3173
    @wayneciabaszewski3173 6 месяцев назад

    that was a great story. and the way you tell it wonderful.

  • @rgu3t0
    @rgu3t0 3 года назад +5

    8:41 “Be back in 10 hun, gonna run down to the corner museum and pick up another painting! Need me to get you anything?!”

  • @marilonesongate3208
    @marilonesongate3208 2 года назад +6

    He saw, admired it and took it. A real man takes what he wants.

  • @NotJustDarth
    @NotJustDarth Год назад +1

    Dude just said yea I'ma take this real quick.

  • @akg_table
    @akg_table 3 года назад +9

    "huh, theres this same guy in all 58 locations that had a painting stolen the same day is appearing on the security footages. no biggie"

  • @fvckyoutubescensorshipandt2718
    @fvckyoutubescensorshipandt2718 3 года назад +8

    20:23 Yes, that would have been the appropriate punishment, with 1 tossed into the same canal as the paintings and the other burned in a bonfire at the same spot the art was burned. If he somehow did it again with no hands then repeat with both feet as well.

  • @GOKHANMERSINLIOGLU
    @GOKHANMERSINLIOGLU 2 года назад

    9:13 the Sixt art (painting) on the third row is priceless.

  • @sbalogh53
    @sbalogh53 3 года назад +6

    19:25 Lawyers say you should always keep your mouth firmly shut during police interviews.

  • @jonathanmoody8757
    @jonathanmoody8757 3 года назад +7

    "This Man Stole $1.5 Billion Worth of Art With a Screwdriver"
    - Original Title

  • @richardd9349
    @richardd9349 Год назад

    With a title like that, I immediately think of the Lockpicking Lawyer vids of him disabling so many locks in seconds.

  • @turbocharged0611
    @turbocharged0611 3 года назад +12

    Thoughty2 is the greatest thief in history.
    He stole my ability to stay on task when i get a notification about his new video. And then commence down the rabbit hole of "thoughty2" videos until i finally realize that its 3am and i have work in 2 hours.... DAMN YOU THOUGHTY2!!!! DAMN YOU!!!! 😂😂

  • @blackcrownep
    @blackcrownep 2 года назад +9

    She was willing to burn all that art to protect her son, but she couldn't get him a lawyer?

    • @franklinthompson9487
      @franklinthompson9487 2 года назад +1

      Well the lawyer is expensive, burning it doesn’t cost anything

  • @rjwilliams1986
    @rjwilliams1986 3 года назад +7

    What a fantastically captivating episode. Didn’t know this guy existed. So interesting!

    • @subnoizesoldier2
      @subnoizesoldier2 3 года назад

      Check out more I love this dude good narration and humor

  • @silverhawkscape2677
    @silverhawkscape2677 3 года назад +34

    I have to love criminals who commit near the police station across the street.

  • @just-dragon-yt
    @just-dragon-yt 2 года назад +3

    your content is really amazing and from all the channels i been following over the years, yours is one i like the most, the way u explain things, your accent, your charisma, you are interesting too listen too, your voice is made for this!! awesome channel.

    • @Exxeron-ob3tv
      @Exxeron-ob3tv Год назад +1

      Have you checked out the Why Files?

    • @Bambisgf77
      @Bambisgf77 11 месяцев назад

      @@Exxeron-ob3tvAJ & Hecklefish have charisma in spades! WF is such a great channel.

  • @dizzydaddy000
    @dizzydaddy000 3 года назад +70

    Hence, art pieces should only be copies. .0001% of the visitors actually appreciate every minor detail ...

    • @miguelmejia4656
      @miguelmejia4656 3 года назад +5

      no art is worth a million dollars

    • @Siegmeyer_
      @Siegmeyer_ 3 года назад +9

      I agree with you, many people have attempted to destroy pieces of art too

    • @bigboybaggins8993
      @bigboybaggins8993 3 года назад +14

      @@miguelmejia4656 I disagree. Atleast for the antique ones which are from a time long gone. Modern art? Totally agree.

    • @sarthakarora3212
      @sarthakarora3212 3 года назад

      @@bigboybaggins8993 there is no difference between modern and old art . What the hell are you saying?

    • @angeleyeszarai
      @angeleyeszarai 3 года назад +2

      I'm surprised they don't do this. But at the same time we go to museums to see real art, history, etc. We don't go to see copies. But that does make rational sense

  • @PrairieWolff
    @PrairieWolff 3 года назад +14

    I'm surprised he didn't end up working for les UX.
    What a resume.

    • @nemanja98rs
      @nemanja98rs 3 года назад +1

      As if they are so easy to work with, I looked for weeks for a way to contact them

    • @PrairieWolff
      @PrairieWolff 3 года назад +1

      @@nemanja98rs
      You can't find les UX,
      they find you.......
      Neo

    • @nemanja98rs
      @nemanja98rs 3 года назад +1

      @@PrairieWolff hahaha I guess, tell them I'm writing a book and need to play 10 questions with them xD

  • @gisleyalves2549
    @gisleyalves2549 Год назад +1

    🇧🇷 I confess: I LOVE the stories ( in my perception , the history , once they are real) I listen to from this channel.🇧🇷

  • @lavenderpants8695
    @lavenderpants8695 3 года назад +4

    Congrats on almost 4million!

  • @jlsouth7337
    @jlsouth7337 3 года назад +4

    Why why why why would she do that??? It's basically the delete button on actual history

  • @corvettebob96
    @corvettebob96 2 года назад

    The tale is very well articulated. Kept my attention the whole time. I cringed when you said the mother burned and sank the paintings. I don't even know much about art.

  • @nicholashenderson6941
    @nicholashenderson6941 3 года назад +6

    Man, people always telling on themselves. Never talk to the cops.

    • @Musikur
      @Musikur 3 года назад

      stop writing down your crimes!

  • @qjames0077
    @qjames0077 3 года назад +10

    If it wasn't for Thoughty2, my male pattern baldness would never have stopped

  • @stevezonneveld5171
    @stevezonneveld5171 2 года назад

    Nice touch putting pic of yourself in the collage of stolen paintings!!

  • @franssantos9417
    @franssantos9417 2 года назад +30

    Suddenly just now, I want to be a great art thief. This is so inspiring.

    • @jeffreystorer4966
      @jeffreystorer4966 Год назад

      Try map's easier pretty profitable and collectables LoL