Monday, April 8, 2013

The Vaults On Monday Mystery...!

If I had a lot of something I wanted to protect from thieves, I would get me a good safe. Sometimes, though, a safe just doesn't get the job done!

Many big companies and organizations have some major vaults that are supposedly completely impervious to a break-in! I think we all know what they say about the best laid plans, right? There are a lot of people that make it their main goal in life to take anything valuable away from others, no matter how protected it is. Here, from Listverse, is a good example of just what I'm talking about!

Antwerp Diamond Center Vault



The Antwerp Diamond Vault in Belgium is best known for two reasons: for being the world’s most impenetrable diamond safe and, contrarily, being the victim of a baffling diamond heist in 2003.

The vault was originally built by a collection of 1500 diamond merchants and houses around 70% of the world’s diamonds. Obviously, the founders took great efforts to secure their valuables and outfitted it with un-matched security equipment, including heat detectors, Doppler radar, seismic sensors, magnetic fields, and a lock with over 100 million possible combinations that was designed to shut down for hours if the wrong code was entered in twice. Furthermore, the door itself was three tons, constructed of solid steel, and would’ve required 12-hours of non-stop drilling to penetrate.

Regardless of the multi-tiered security system, a ring of Italian thieves known as “The School of Turin” broke in and stole $100 million worth of diamonds and other treasures. In true “Oceans 11” style, they set off no alarms and Antwerp officials weren’t aware of the breach until the next morning when they arrived at the Diamond Center and discovered their safe gaping open and ransacked.

The booty was never found, but police did arrest one man, Leonardo Notarbartolo, based on DNA evidence found at the scene. He claims a diamond merchant hired his team for the heist and it was all part of an elaborate plan to fraud the insurance company.

The Antwerp Diamond Center has since upped its security even more, yet it seems the 2003 incident has shown that even the most sophisticated vault is no match for a truly determined criminal mastermind.

The way I see it, if these guys can't protect what they have, even with their "high tech" toys, then what good is a small lock box or safe to the average home, ya know? I'd say that right now that ol' shoebox or section of pvc pipe buried in the back yard is looking pretty valid!

Coffee out on the patio this morning. I've nothing to share except some sugar cinnamon toast, is that OK?

9 comments:

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Thieves would have slim pickins' at my house! I'll bring some fresh eggs to go with your great cinnamon toast (if no one steals my 'girls')!

Gorges Smythe said...

You've probably heard the old saying, "Locks just keep good people honest."

Momlady said...

I happen to love sugar cinnamon toast. It goes so well with coffee. I'm glad I don't have anything of great value to worry about.

Sixbears said...

Maybe I sleep good at night because I have so little to steal.

linda m said...

Nothing is safe anymore. If someone truly wants what you have they will find a way to get it. I heard of a house that had a sophisticated burglar alarm system that the thieves cut a hole in the side of the house and got in that way. Where there's a will there's a way. Coffee outside sounds good - raining here.

JO said...

Those diamonds have to show up somewhere someday. Can't hide that for ever. Or maybe they sold them is small amounts all over the world. But that sure is a lot of stuff to pass around.

Coffee on the patio sounds wonderful.

Dizzy-Dick said...

If those criminals would put as much thought and energy into something honest, they would never make that kind of money that quick, if ever. I can not imagine a hundred million, I have trouble with anything above 3 or 4 zeroes except when it comes to things in the night sky.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
I know what you mean! Not much worth stealing at my house either!

Fresh eggs! Now you're talking!

Thanks for coming by this morning!



Hey Gorges...
I have heard it and it sure does apply!

Thanks for the visit today!



Hey Momlady...
I kinda figured that you would like it!

No thieves would waste their time at my house, I'm thinking!

Many thanks for coming over today!



Hey Sixbears...
It does help one to sleep better, I believe!

Guess that's why I like my naps so much!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Linda...
That they will! A good thief will always find a way!

Thanks so much for coming over today!



Hey Jo...
Not knowing that much about the process of getting rid of stolen property, I reckon they will find some way to profit!

Lots of money in those diamonds, though.

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!



Hey Dizzy...
Those kinds of figures are beyond the national budget of some small countries!

You could retire pretty well on just a part of that!

Thanks, buddy, for coming over today!

Baby Sis said...

Bubba -
I was distraught this am because I thought I had lost my favorite ring, a 1/2 band of small sparklies. Hubby found it though, and that's got more sentimental value than $. I'm always up for cinnamon toast - reminds me when we were kids. Just doesn't come out right in the toaster oven, though - needs a real broiler so it only cooks on one side, right?

Big hugs -