Check out some of the most bizarre thefts in history
Josh Fox of Listverse decided to create a list of 10 of the most curious crimes in history in his opinion, some of which turned out to be books and movies. You can check the full selection at this link or check out a small sample of the following offenses.
The Dirk Penguin Kidnapping
The crime occurred when three drunken Britons, while on vacation in Australia, decided to invade the Sea World water park. After swimming with dolphins in one of the pools, they roused poor penguin Dirk and kidnapped him.
The boys, who discovered the poor animal roaming the hotel room the next morning, decided to leave Dirk in a canal where the pet was found hungry and traumatized. The kidnappers were forced to pay heavy fines, and released a video clarifying that they did not intend to cause any trauma to the poor penguin.
English Treasury Theft in 1303
The indebted merchant Richard Pudlicott, in order to solve his financial problems, decided to steal King Edward I's treasure in 1303. After bribing some members of the clergy, promising large sums of money, Pudlicott finally broke into Westminster Abbey, escaping with the incredible sum of £ 100, 000 (around $ 320, 000, an astronomical amount for the time).
However, King's officials found several treasure coins stolen in pawn shops and, after hundreds of arrests and interrogations, Pudlicott eventually confessed to the crime and was sentenced to the gallows. The king then ordered the offender to be skinned, and hung his skin on the abbey's doors in order to chase away possible thieves.
Santa Claus in crisis
Marshal Ratliff, a Texas bank robber, after finding himself in economic trouble during the Great Depression in the United States in the 1920s, decided to organize a robbery on Christmas Eve. He disguised himself as Santa during the act, just so as not to attract attention and walk relatively unnoticed until he reached the target agency.
Along with three other men - and a small group of children who began to follow him - Ratliff broke into the bank and took possession of $ 150, 000. However, to the misfortune of the gang, the police were alerted and the thieves caught. One of the group members eventually died during the foursome's incredible escape, and even after conviction, a mob eventually captured Ratliff and hanged him.
If you would like to know more about the crimes and check out the full list, you can find the article at this link.
Source: Listverse
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