Histopedia

In the world of crime, few stories captivate the imagination like that of Albert Spaggiari, the mastermind behind one of the most audacious bank robberies in French history. Born in 1932 in Laragne-Montéglin, France, Spaggiari’s life was marked by rebellion and adventure from a young age.

Spaggiari’s father died when he was just three years old, and his mother remarried. However, Albert despised his stepfather and left home at 17 to join the Parachute Regiment, fighting against Ho Chi Minh’s communist forces in Indochina. During his military service, Spaggiari proved himself to be a tough soldier, earning decorations for bravery. Nevertheless, his old habits resurfaced, and he was caught breaking into a milk bar in Hanoi, leading to his imprisonment.

Spaggiari’s most notorious exploit was the 1976 bank robbery in Nice, where he and his gang dug an eight-meter tunnel from the sewer to the vault of the Société Générale bank. The heist was meticulously planned, with Spaggiari’s team working long hours in the sewers, even stringing up electric cables for lighting. They decorated the tunnel walls with racy pictures of women, and police later found the remains of meals and empty wine bottles.

The gang made off with an estimated 46 million francs, none of which was ever recovered. The daring heist captured the imagination of the public, and Spaggiari became known as the “Prince of Thieves”.

Spaggiari was eventually arrested after a tip-off from a former girlfriend led the police to one of his accomplices. However, during his trial, Spaggiari devised an audacious escape plan. He created a fictitious document, distracting the judge, and then jumped out of a window, landing safely on a parked car and escaping on a waiting motorcycle.

After his escape, Spaggiari fled to Argentina, where he lived for several years. There were rumors that he occasionally snuck back into France to visit his mother and wife. Spaggiari’s life in hiding added to his legend, and he became a symbol of anti-heroes who challenge the system.

Albert Spaggiari’s story has inspired books, films, and documentaries. His daring heist and clever escape have cemented his place in the annals of crime history. Despite his eventual death from lung cancer in 1989, Spaggiari’s legend lives on, captivating audiences with its mix of adventure, cunning, and rebellion.