Stolen Jewels, Art and Cash: World's Biggest Heists

The brazen daytime robbery of a London jewelry store last week is being called the biggest jewel heist in British history.

(Getty Images)

In just two minutes on Aug. 6, two robbers dressed in sharp business suits ripped off $65 million in jewelry from Graff Diamond's flagship store -- known for its clientele of the rich and famous.

In a series of events reminiscent of a Hollywood movie, the thieves left the store with 43 pieces of jewelry -- including earrings, watches, rings and a necklace made of 272 diamonds -- and a hostage in tow.

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Police said the men arrived at the store in a London taxi and made an incredible getaway, changing cars three times over a distance measuring less than half a mile. They crashed once, handed a bag of jewels to an accomplice on a motorcycle and gave police the slip, despite being right in the center of London.

Police believe that a total of four men took part in the operation. The only thing they've recovered so far is one of the getaway cars.

The heist may be the most recent robbery to capture the world's imagination and the interest of an international team of investigators, but it's far from the first.

The following list rounds up some of the biggest and most daring capers in recent years from across the country and around the world.