Newsletter #149 (View other news stories)
DIAMOND RAID DIGGER IN ACTION-PACKED AUCTION
ROCESTER, United Kingdom
Thursday, 18 Mar 2004
The JCB digger used in the world's biggest-ever attempted jewel robbery is up for auction.
The famous 1992 3CX Sitemaster (pictured) still bears the scars of the damage it suffered during the amazing James Bond-style heist in 2000 when an armed gang bulldozed its way into London's Millennium Dome complex in an attempt to steal a GBP350 million (USD634.6 million) diamond collection.
Hurling smoke bombs and ammonia to create chaos, the thieves attempted to remove the heavily guarded exhibits and make a getaway in a high-speed powerboat moored on the River Thames.
But more than 100 police, disguised as cleaners, were lying in wait and the diamonds had been replaced with fakes.
The machine is one of 500 lots selling as part of JCB's regular surplus auction at JCB world headquarters at Rocester at noon on Tuesday, March 23.
Auctioneer John Hilton, of Bury & Hilton, said the machine was the most unusual item ever to come under the hammer at a JCB auction.
"It is still in the damaged state it was left in after the raid. There is a hole in the windscreen and the rear dipper is missing. Holes were also cut into the front bucket so the driver could see where he was going when he smashed through the fence," he said.
JCB took delivery of the machine from insurers once the court hearing surrounding the raid concluded in 2002.
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