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In 1990, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum lacked a single interior camera to surveil its priceless collection. According to the board, such modern security would be too expensive.
Soon, two thieves seized the opportunity. On St. Patrick’s Day, disguised as policemen, they demanded entry to “investigate a disturbance.” They declared the guards themselves suspect and handcuffed them without resistance. The thieves then proceeded to steal $500 million of art, including works by Degas, Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Lacking video evidence, the FBI was unable to make a single arrest. No art has been recovered, and a $10 million bounty exists today.