Notorious Antwerp Heist Thief Caught With Rough Goods

Leonardo Notarbartolo, the man found guilty of being the mastermind thief behind an Antwerp diamond heist that took place in February 2003, was caught last week with an unexplained large amount of rough diamonds during a random police check in Italy.

According to local press, 1,015 grams of rough diamonds or 5,075 carats of goods were found in Notarbartolo’s car. The goods, which were comprised of both rough and cut diamonds, were in 21 sealed envelopes, concealed in the backseats of Notarbartolo’s BMW. Italian police have confiscated the goods.

Notarbartolo, 57, was convicted in 2005 of masterminding the theft of approximately €100 million in rough and polished diamonds, jewelry and other goods from 123 of the 160 safes in the basement of the Grunberger building vault in Antwerp's diamond district. The theft, the largest in Antwerp's history, shocked the diamond community, as many in the industry are well acquainted with it and frequently use the basement vault.

At the time, it was understood that much of the stolen goods were not insured. The stolen diamonds were never recovered.

In May 2005, a Belgian court sentenced Notarbartolo to 10 years in prison and a €1 million fine for his part in the break-in. He reportedly set up a shell company in the diamond center, allowing him close access so he could learn what security measures were in place at the exchange.

Three other accomplices - Ferdinando Finotto, Elio D’Onorio and Pietro Tavano - were sentenced to five years in jail and fined €5,000. In addition, all four were ordered by the court to pay an additional €4.5 million in damages to the civil plaintiffs.

Apparently, Notarbartolo had been recently released from jail, after serving four years.

Accompanying him in the car were two Milan residents, a father and son, aged 61 and 23 respectively, who were not charged by police. In a statement released by Notarbartolo’s lawyer, Basil Foti, he explained that the goods are low value industrial grade diamonds to which his client has full legal ownership.

According to Foti, the seized goods are worth €13,000 - €18,000 and Notarbartolo will act immediately to have them returned to him. Foti said he does not believe the diamonds are part of the stolen loot, “however, an expert will analyze them and solve the problem,” he told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.