History Daily Podcast Summary
Episode: The Lufthansa Heist
Release Date: December 11, 2024

Introduction

History Daily, hosted by Lindsey Graham, delves into significant historical events that occurred on specific days. In the December 11, 2024 episode titled "The Lufthansa Heist," Graham unravels one of America's most infamous and mysterious robberies. This detailed account explores the planning, execution, and aftermath of the heist that has captivated true crime enthusiasts and baffled law enforcement for decades.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens by transporting listeners to December 11, 1978, shortly after 3:00 a.m., at JFK International Airport's Cargo Building 261, operated by Lufthansa. Lindsey Graham sets the stage:

Lindsey Graham [10:33]: "It's December 11, 1978. At exactly 3:00am outside Cargo Building 261 at JFK International Airport, Jimmy Burke's crew arrives and immediately gets to work."

Kerry Whalen briefly introduces the podcast's availability and sponsorships, which Lindsey Graham smoothly transitions into the historical narrative.

Prelude to the Heist

The story begins with Lufthansa employee Kerry Whalen returning from a late-night delivery. As he approaches Cargo Building 261, he encounters unfamiliar individuals in a black van, leading to his abduction alongside a coworker. This alarming incident foreshadows the meticulous planning behind the impending heist.

Characters and Motivations

Lindsey introduces key figures involved in the heist:

• Louis Werner: A Lufthansa Cargo employee plagued by financial woes, including a $6,000 gambling debt and overdue child support. Desperate for money, Werner devises the plan to rob the cargo building, leveraging his insider knowledge.

  Lindsey Graham [04:39]: "Lewis Werner is on his way to meet his friend Marty Krugman in hopes of planning a big new business venture... He just needs it now."

• Marty Krugman: Officially a wig salesman, Krugman serves as Werner's conduit to the criminal underworld, connecting him with the Lucchese crime family.

• Jimmy "The Gent" Burke: A high-ranking member of the Lucchese family, portrayed by Robert De Niro in Goodfellas. Burke oversees the heist, ensuring its execution aligns with the family's criminal endeavors.

• Tommy "Two Guns" DeSimone: Assigned by Burke to lead the heist, DeSimone is notorious for his violent tendencies and reliability in organized crime operations.

  Lindsey Graham [11:12]: "Tommy DeSimone quickly comes up with a plan... in the future, he'll be portrayed by Joe Pesci in Goodfellas as a short fuse who's quick to violence."

Planning the Heist

Leveraging his position, Werner provides Burke's team with critical information about the cargo building's security measures:

• Vault Access: Requires two keys operated simultaneously by the building supervisor, Rudy Eirich.
• Security Protocols: An internal alarm system that triggers if the doors are not relocked promptly.

Burke and his crew, armed with maps, employee lists, and procedural knowledge, strategize to maximize efficiency and minimize the risk of detection. They decide on a workforce of six, balancing manpower for the robbery and the getaway.

Execution of the Heist

On the night of December 11, 1978, Burke's crew initiates the heist precisely at 3:00 a.m. The operation unfolds as follows:

1. Entry and Control: Four men in ski masks storm the cafeteria on the third floor, swiftly subduing and handcuffing the Lufthansa employees.

   Lindsey Graham [16:22]: "Everyone in the room is stunned by the sudden presence of armed, masked men, and in a matter of minutes the criminals have handcuffed the building's small group of employees."

2. Capturing Rudy Eirich: DeSimone orchestrates a ruse, having a senior agent call Rudy under false pretenses, leading to his forced cooperation in accessing the vault.

   Lindsey Graham [16:22]: "Facing down the barrel of the gun, he agrees to open the vault, revealing even more money than Jimmy's men had envisioned."

3. Securing the Loot: The crew gathers 50 boxes of cash and jewelry, totaling approximately $5.8 million. The items are loaded into the getaway van, driven away by Parnell Edwards.

Aftermath and Consequences

Initially, the heist is deemed a success. However, the aftermath reveals a cascade of complications:

• Getaway Van Mistake: Edwards fails to dispose of the van promptly, leaving it parked openly. The NYC Police identify the vehicle, and the FBI retrieves fingerprints linking it to Edwards.

  Lindsey Graham [16:22]: "The authorities were already beginning to suspect the Lucchese family for the heist... But this almost confirms it."

• Violent Retributions: As the FBI intensifies its investigation, key figures linked to the heist are systematically eliminated:

  • Parnell Edwards: Found dead, shot in the head.
  • Joe Buddha Manri: Killed in his car.
  • Marty Krugman and Tommy DeSimone: Disappear under mysterious circumstances, presumed deceased.

  In total, 12 associates of the Lucchese family are either killed or vanish following the robbery.

Legal Outcomes and Unsolved Mysteries

Despite the magnitude of the heist, legal repercussions are minimal:

• Convictions: Only Louis Werner faces conviction, primarily for his role in initiating the heist.

  Lindsey Graham [16:22]: "Only one person is ever convicted in relationship to the robbery."

• Unrecovered Funds: The substantial amount stolen remains unfound, adding to the heist's enigmatic legacy.

  Lindsey Graham [16:22]: "As for the money itself, it'll never be found. Whatever happened to it will remain a mystery."

Conclusion

The Lufthansa Heist exemplifies the complexities and dangers inherent in organized crime. While the robbery itself was executed flawlessly, the ensuing chaos and loss highlight the precarious nature of criminal enterprises. Decades later, the heist remains a subject of intrigue, emblematic of the unsolved mysteries that continue to surround historical criminal acts.

Teaser for Next Episode

In the upcoming History Daily episode, Graham shifts focus to December 12, 1936, exploring the kidnapping of Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek during the Chinese Civil War—a pivotal event that unified China against Imperial Japan.

Notable Quotes:

• Lindsey Graham [10:33]: "It's December 11, 1978. At exactly 3:00am outside Cargo Building 261 at JFK International Airport, Jimmy Burke's crew arrives and immediately gets to work."

• Lindsey Graham [04:39]: "Lewis Werner is on his way to meet his friend Marty Krugman in hopes of planning a big new business venture... He just needs it now."

• Lindsey Graham [11:12]: "Tommy DeSimone quickly comes up with a plan... in the future, he'll be portrayed by Joe Pesci in Goodfellas as a short fuse who's quick to violence."

• Lindsey Graham [16:22]: "Everyone in the room is stunned by the sudden presence of armed, masked men, and in a matter of minutes the criminals have handcuffed the building's small group of employees."

• Lindsey Graham [16:22]: "Only one person is ever convicted in relationship to the robbery."

Production Credits:

• Hosted, Edited, and Executive Produced by: Lindsey Graham
• Audio Editing: Mohammed Shazib
• Sound Design: Katrina Zemrak
• Music: Lindsey Graham
• Written and Researched by: Georgia Hampton
• Executive Producers: Alexandra Curry Buckner (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser)

Sponsors:

Throughout the episode, Lindsey Graham acknowledges sponsors such as Mint Mobile and Columbia Sportswear, seamlessly integrating their messages without disrupting the narrative flow.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key elements of "The Lufthansa Heist" episode, providing listeners with an engaging and informative overview of one of history's most notorious crimes.