Six Wacky Items That Have Been Stolen So Far

Typically, robbers target items like jewelry, electronics, or cash. However, some criminals have set their sights on rather unconventional prizes.

Here are some of the most bizarre items that have been reported stolen.

White Gold

In 2022, thieves made off with 60 containers of bull sperm from a farm in Orphen, Germany.

This may seem odd, but bull semen is a highly valuable asset used for the artificial insemination of cows. (In the UK, 75% of dairy cows are bred this way.)

Often referred to as “white gold,” bull semen can fetch tens of thousands of pounds per milliliter. It requires special preparation, being supercooled with liquid nitrogen at -196°C (-320°F) to prevent spoilage.

A Creepy Crawl

In 2018, 7,000 live animals were taken from the insectarium and butterfly pavilion in Philadelphia.

The haul included glow-spot cockroaches, tarantulas, and leopard geckos, valued at approximately $50,000 (around £40,000). However, the motive may have gone beyond mere financial gain.

Evidence left behind included staff uniforms hanging from a wall with a knife. This led the museum’s CEO to suspect the thief might have been a disgruntled employee from the animal care department, yet the perpetrator remains at large.

Old X-Rays

In 2013, a duo was caught stealing 15,000 x-rays from a Detroit hospital.

The X-ray film was from before 2005, when hospitals transitioned to digital systems. It contains silver bromide crystals that, upon development, yield silver atoms for visibility.

While the silver content likely attracted the burglars, they underestimated the high cost associated with extracting it from x-ray film.

Commercial Aircraft

The theft of a Boeing 727-223 passenger plane in 2003 sparked a global search and put US intelligence on alert. The aircraft was snatched from Quatro de Fevereiro airport in Angola by US flight engineers and mechanics from the Republic of Congo.

The plane took off without notifying air traffic control, flying with its lights and transponders off towards the Atlantic. The thief has never been found, and no wreckage has ever been located.

Authorities remain unsure of the motive, though some suspect it may have been a complex insurance fraud scheme.

Bee Hive

In 2017, hundreds of bee hives were stolen from a California beekeeper. Honeybees are crucial for pollination, particularly in California’s thriving almond farming sector.

The main suspect was discovered with 2,500 stolen nest boxes from farms across the state, valued at around $875,000 (nearly £695,000).

Beekeepers often mark their equipment with unique symbols to assist authorities in identifying stolen items.

Golden Toilet

In 2019, a fully functional, solid gold toilet worth £4.8 million was stolen. The toilet, weighing 98 kg (216 lbs), was part of an exhibition titled “America” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan.

On September 14th, five men broke into the palace housing the installation, breaking through barriers and escaping in a stolen Volkswagen Golf. Three of the men were later convicted for the crime.

This article addresses the question posed by Kent, Camila Mills: “What is the craziest thing ever stolen?”

Please email us with your questions at [email protected] or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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