60 Crazy And Weird Crime Stories You Need To Know

Crime stories can be shocking, bizarre, and sometimes downright hilarious. From heists involving maple syrup to criminals disguising themselves as chickens, the world of crime is stranger than fiction. Here are 60 mind-blowing facts about the weirdest crime stories ever.

1. The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist

In 2012, Quebec, Canada, was the site of one of the most unusual heists in history: the theft of over 3,000 tons of maple syrup valued at $18 million.

The syrup was part of a strategic reserve managed by the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, which stockpiles syrup to stabilize prices.

Thieves infiltrated the storage facility, siphoned off the syrup, and replaced it with water to avoid detection. The scheme went unnoticed for months until an audit revealed the discrepancy.

The investigation led to arrests and the recovery of some of the stolen syrup. What a sticky situation.

2. The Banana Bandit

In 2010, a man in Saitama, Japan, robbed a convenience store using a banana as a weapon. He pointed the banana at the clerk, who, believing it was a gun, handed over the cash.

The robber later admitted he chose the banana because it was less threatening than a real weapon.

While his plan worked initially, he was eventually caught and charged. This crime is a-peel-ing in its absurdity. Also, imagine telling your friends a banana bandit robbed you.

3. The Great Truffle Heist

In 2023, thieves in Italy stole $500,000 worth of truffles from a farm. Truffles are one of the most expensive foods in the world, and the thieves used trucks to haul them away, vanishing into the night.

4. The Toilet Paper Caper

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a man in Sydney stole 132 rolls of toilet paper from a supermarket. Toilet paper was in high demand due to panic buying, and this guy decided to take matters into his own hands, LITERALLY. He was caught and fined.

5. The Great Pizza Scam

In 2001, a man in New York City ordered 13 pizzas delivered to a fake address. He intercepted the delivery driver, took the pizzas, and vanished.

While unclear what he did with 13 pizzas, it’s safe to say this crime was cheesy in more ways than one. The scam failed, and the man received a theft charge. It’s a saucy crime, but not well done.

6. The Stolen Bridge

In 2007, thieves in the Czech Republic dismantled a 10-ton steel bridge and sold it for scrap. The bridge, located in a remote area, was no longer in use, making it an easy target.

The thieves used heavy machinery to take apart the structure and haul it away. While the crime was bold, it wasn’t subtle, and the perpetrators got caught. Now, that’s what we call a heavy-duty crime.

7. The Chicken Nugget Heist

In 2012, a Florida man stole 40,000 chicken nuggets from a delivery truck. The nuggets, worth thousands of dollars, were intended for a fast-food chain. The thief was caught and charged, but not before he had made off with enough nuggets to feed a small army.

This crime is a reminder that even the most mundane items can be the target of theft and that your 40,000 nuggets are unsafe.

8. The Fake Policeman

In 2006, a German man dressed as a police officer arrested a bank manager. He took the manager to the bank, claiming there was a security threat, and made off with $1 million. The elaborate scheme worked for a while, but the man was caught and charged. That’s a badge of dishonor.

9. The Fake Geologist

In 2021, a woman in Canada posed as a geologist and convinced a mining company to fund a fake research project. She claimed she was studying rare minerals but was using the money for personal expenses. She was busted and charged with fraud. That’s a rocky scam but not a gem of an idea.

10. The Great Art Heist

In 1990, two men dressed as police officers stole 13 pieces of art worth $500 million from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

The thieves tied up the guards and spent over an hour selecting their loot, which included works by Vermeer and Rembrandt. The case remains unsolved, and the art is lost.

11. The Cheese Heist

In 2016, thieves in Wisconsin stole $160,000 worth of cheese from a dairy factory. The cheese, including cheddar and provolone, was loaded onto a truck and driven away. The cheese was recovered after investigations.

12. The Stolen Giant Inflatable Unicorn

In 2019, a man in France stole a 10-foot-tall inflatable unicorn from a festival. The unicorn was part of an art installation, and the thief somehow managed to deflate it and haul it away. It was abandoned in a park.

13. The Fake Lottery Ticket

In 2012, a man in the US tried to claim a $1 million lottery prize with a fake ticket. He had altered the numbers on the ticket to match the winning numbers, but his scheme failed, and he was charged with fraud and sentenced to prison.

14. Crime Stories: The Great Wine Heist

In 2014, thieves in France stole 7,000 bottles of wine worth $1 million from a vineyard. The wine, including rare vintages, was loaded onto a truck and driven away. The crime came to limelight and some of the wine was recovered.

15. The Stolen Statue

In 2005, thieves in the UK stole a 10-foot-tall statue of a gnome from a garden center. The statue, made of concrete, was loaded onto a truck and driven away. The statue came back after investigators found it.

16. The Fake Doctor

In 2010, a man in the US posed as a doctor and performed surgeries. He had no medical training but managed to fool hospital staff for months. He was caught and charged with fraud. That’s not a healthy decision.

17. The Great Lego Heist

In 2014, thieves in Arizona stole $200,000 worth of Lego sets from a toy store. The thieves targeted high-value sets, including rare Star Wars and Harry Potter collections.

Lego is a surprisingly lucrative black-market item, with some sets reselling for thousands of dollars. We could call that a brick-by-brick crime.

18. The Stolen Alamo

In 2015, a man in Texas stole a 300-pound replica of the Alamo from a museum. The replica was part of a historical exhibit, and the thief somehow managed to load it into his truck and drive away. The Alamo replica was abandoned in a field.

19. The Fake NASA Scientist

In 2006, a man in the US posed as a NASA scientist and convinced a company to fund a fake space mission. He claimed he was developing a revolutionary rocket engine but was using the money for personal expenses. His scheme failed, and he received a fraud charge.

20. The Great Whiskey Heist

In 2013, some Scotland thieves stole $1.5 million worth of rare whiskey from a distillery. The whiskey included limited-edition bottles and casks of aged single malt. They were caught, but some of the whiskey disappeared into the void of drunkenness.

21. The Stolen Penguin

In 2012, a man in Australia stole a penguin from a zoo. The penguin, Dirk, was found days later in the man’s backyard, where he had built a makeshift enclosure. He claimed he just wanted a pet penguin. What a flightless crime.

22. The Fake Archaeologist

In 2010, a man in the UK posed as an archaeologist and convinced a museum to lend him valuable artifacts for a fake exhibition. He then sold the artifacts on the black market. His scheme came to light, and he got a fraud charge.

23. The Great Cheese Wheel Chase

In 2016, thieves in Italy stole 2,000 wheels of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese worth $200,000. The cheese was in a warehouse, and the thieves used trucks to haul it away. Some were returned after investigators located them.

24. The Stolen Racehorse

In 2018, thieves in the UK stole a racehorse worth $1 million from a stable. The horse, named Night of Thunder, was found days later in a field. The thieves had no idea how to care for the horse and abandoned it.

25. The Fake Firefighter

In 2014, a man in the US posed as a firefighter and responded to emergency calls. He wore a convincing uniform and even drove a fake fire truck. The police caught him.

26. The Great Lobster Heist

In 2012, thieves in Canada stole 10,000 pounds of lobster from a seafood warehouse. The lobsters were worth $200,000 and were likely sold on the black market. Sadly, the lobsters never returned.

27. The Stolen T-Rex

In 2013, a man in the US stole a life-sized T-Rex statue from a museum. The statue was part of a dinosaur exhibit, and the thief somehow managed to load it into his truck and drive away. The T-Rex got abandoned in a field.

28. The Fake Astronaut

In 2008, a man in the US posed as an astronaut and convinced a company to fund a fake space mission. He claimed he was developing a revolutionary space suit but was using the money for personal expenses. His scheme failed, and he received a sentence after fraud charges.

29. The Great Coffee Heist

In 2015, thieves in Brazil stole $1 million worth of coffee beans from a warehouse. The beans were part of a shipment bound for Europe, and the thieves used trucks to haul them away.

30. The Stoned Burglar

In 2017, a man in the US broke into a house and fell asleep on the couch after eating all the snacks in the kitchen. The homeowners found him the next day and called the police.

31. The Fake Magician

In 2019, a man in the UK posed as a magician and convinced a theater to host his show. He then stole valuables from the audience during his performance. He received a fraud charge.

32. The Great Honey Heist

In 2018, thieves in the US stole $100,000 worth of honey from a beekeeping farm stored in barrels. They used trucks to haul them away and vanished.

33. The Stolen Shark

In 2016, a man in Australia stole a small shark from an aquarium. The shark, Bruce, was found days later in the man’s bathtub. The man claimed he just wanted a pet shark. Something smells fishy.

34. The Fake Chef

In 2020, a man in the US posed as a celebrity chef and convinced a restaurant to hire him. He had no culinary training but managed to fool the staff for weeks. At some point, you have to ask, why?

35. The Great Avocado Heist

In 2019, thieves in California stole $300,000 worth of avocados from a farm. The thieves used trucks to haul away crates of the popular fruit, which got sold on the black market.

36. The Stolen Swan Boat

In 2017, a man in the UK stole a swan-shaped pedal boat from a park. The machine was part of a tourist attraction, and the thief somehow managed to pedal it away in the middle of the night. The swan boat was found abandoned in a nearby river. What a foul crime.

37. The Fake Veterinarian

In 2018, a woman in the US posed as a veterinarian and treated pets for several months. She had no medical training but managed to fool pet owners and staff.

38. The Great Pumpkin Heist

In 2020, thieves in Ohio stole 1,000 pumpkins from a farm just before Halloween. The pumpkins were worth $10,000 and likely sold at local markets. Investigations brought no results.

39. The Stolen Ice Cream Truck

In 2016, a man in the US stole an ice cream truck and drove it around town, giving out free ice cream to kids. The man received a theft charge after police arrested him.

40. The Fake Paleontologist

In 2022, a man in the US posed as a paleontologist and convinced a museum to fund a fake dinosaur dig. He claimed he was studying fossils but was using the money for personal expenses. His scheme failed.

41. The Great Sushi Heist

In 2017, thieves in Japan stole $1 million worth of sushi-grade tuna from a fish market. The tuna was part of a shipment bound for high-end restaurants, and the thieves used trucks to take it away. The police never caught the criminals

42. The Stolen Christmas Tree

In 2019, a man in the UK stole a 20-foot Christmas tree from a town square. The tree was part of a holiday display, and the thief somehow managed to load it onto a truck and drive away. The tree was abandoned in a field.

43. The Fake Wedding Planner

In 2021, a woman in the US posed as a wedding planner and scammed couples out of thousands of dollars. She had no experience but managed to fool multiple clients before her scheme failed.

44. The Great Vanilla Heist

In 2020, thieves in Madagascar stole $1 million worth of vanilla beans from a plantation. Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and the thieves took it all away.

45. The Stolen Lawn Gnome Army

In 2015, a man in the US stole over 100 lawn gnomes from yards in his neighborhood. He claimed he was building a gnome army in his backyard. The gnomes eventually returned to their owners, and the man received a theft charge.

46. The Fake Yoga Instructor

In 2019, a man in the US posed as a yoga instructor and taught classes for several months. He had no training but managed to fool students and studio owners alike. He got a fraud charge after his scheme failed.

47. The Great Chocolate Heist

In 2020, thieves in Belgium stole $100,000 worth of chocolate from a factory. The chocolate was part of a shipment bound for high-end stores, and the thieves took them into the night, where they vanished.

48. The Stolen Giant Inflatable Shark

In 2023, a man in Australia stole a 12-foot-tall inflatable shark from a beach festival. The shark was part of an art installation, and the thief somehow managed to deflate it. The shark was found abandoned in a park.

49. The Fake Botanist

In 2018, a man in the US posed as a botanist and convinced a university to fund a fake research project. He claimed he studied rare plants but used the money for personal expenses. His leafy scam failed, and he received a fraud charge.

50. The Fake Meteorologist

In 2020, a man in the UK posed as a meteorologist and convinced a TV station to hire him as a weatherman. He had no training but managed to fool viewers for months. His stormy scheme failed, and he received a fraud charge.

51. The Great Cinnamon Heist

In 2021, thieves in Sri Lanka stole $100,000 worth of cinnamon from a warehouse. Cinnamon is one of the most valuable spices in the world, and the thieves used trucks to cart it away. What a spicy crime.

52. The Great Bubble Wrap Heist

In 2020, thieves in the UK stole $50,000 worth of bubble wrap from a shipping warehouse. The bubble wrap was part of a shipment bound for retail stores, and the thieves got away with it.

53. The Great Mustard Heist

In 2021, thieves in Germany stole $50,000 worth of mustard from a factory. The mustard, including rare artisanal varieties, was part of a shipment bound for gourmet stores. The crime went unnoticed for days.

54. The Stolen Giant Rubber Duck

In 2018, a man in the Netherlands stole a 20-foot-tall inflatable rubber duck from a festival. The duck was part of an art installation, and the thief somehow managed to steal it. The duck was found abandoned in a field.

55. The Fake Astronomer

In 2017, a man in the US posed as an astronomer and convinced a university to fund a fake research project. He claimed he was studying black holes but was using the money for personal expenses. His cosmic scheme failed, and he went to jail.

56. The Great Tea Heist

In 2019, thieves in India stole $100,000 worth of tea leaves from a plantation. The tea was part of a shipment bound for international markets, and the thieves got away. What a perfect heist.

57. The Stolen Giant Inflatable Gorilla

In 2020, a man in the US stole a 15-foot-tall inflatable gorilla from a car dealership. The gorilla was part of an advertising display, and the thief somehow managed to deflate it and cart away with it.

58. The Great Cabbage Patch Kid Caper

In 1985, during the height of the Cabbage Patch Kids craze, a group of thieves in Georgia stole an entire truckload of the popular dolls. The dolls were worth over $100,000 and being transported to stores for the holiday season.

The thieves hijacked the truck and made off with the dolls, which were found abandoned in a warehouse.

59. The Great Saffron Heist

In 2022, thieves in Spain stole $200,000 worth of saffron from a spice warehouse. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and the thieves used trucks to cart it away.

60. The Great Jellybean Heist

In 2017, thieves in the US broke into a candy factory and stole $20,000 worth of jellybeans. The thieves specifically targeted rare and exotic flavors, including buttered popcorn and licorice. The crime was uncovered, but the jellybeans had disappeared forever.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed learning about our 60 awesome crime stories. You can also check out our Government Atrocities Facts or search our Facts Database. Also, don’t forget to leave us a comment and share.