The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!

00:00:00 - 00:55:00In the YouTube video "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the focus shifts to the planning and execution of one of the most notable heists in French history, which took place on June 30, 1971, at the Post Office Hotel in Strasburg. The Leon Gang, led by Edmund Vidal, meticulously planned the robbery for over a year, disguising themselves as locksmiths and making their escape with over a billion old Francs. The gang, which included individuals like Jeanpierre Gandu (Christo), Joani Chavel, Pierre Purah, and Nicholas Kaklamanos, had a long criminal history, with Edmund Vidal's past leading him to join the gang and become one of its original members. The video delves into their early criminal activities, including their first heist and their involvement with other criminal organizations. Despite their successes, the gang eventually faced consequences, leading to arrests and prison sentences. The investigation into their heists intensified, but the Leon Gang continued to evade capture, carrying out more robberies and planning their biggest heist yet at the Post Office in Strasbourg.See more00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the focus shifts to the planning and execution of one of the most notable heists in French history, which took place on June 30, 1971, at the Post Office Hotel in Strasburg. The gang, later identified as the Leon Gang, meticulously planned the robbery for over a year, disguising themselves as locksmiths and making their escape with over a billion old Francs. The getaway was just as well-prepared, leaving no trace behind, making it seem as if "ghosts" had pulled off the job. The authorities were baffled, but the Leon Gang, a team of professional robbers known for their precision and relentless pace, had been active for over a year and a half. To understand the origin of the Leon Gang, the video delves into the intertwined destinies of five individuals: Edmund Vidal, Jean O, Joani Chavel, Pierre Purah, and Nicholas Kaklamanos. Edmund Vidal, nicknamed "Momon," grew up in poverty in the suburbs of Leon and was ostracized at school due to his Gypsy origins. His experiences fueled his desire for freedom and led him to form a gang with his closest friends, Pierre Zakarian, Jean Pierre Mosan, George Manukian, and Marosan, in the 1960s. Together, they engaged in violent street fights and spent time in local cafes, setting the stage for their future criminal exploits as the Leon Gang.00:05:00 In this section of "The Billion-Dollar Heist," we follow the story of Edmund Vidal and his friends, including momon, pipo, Shane, and Mar roian, who are part of the Gypsy community. They struggle to find jobs and often move from one factory or manual labor position to another. Momon Vidal, who is 17 years old, earns his keep by teaming up with a scrap dealer and eventually buys his first car. However, their settled life is disrupted when they attempt to steal a crate of cherries from a grocery store. During the theft, someone manages to jot down their car's license plate number, leading the police to their doorstep. Edmund Vidal is arrested and incarcerated, leaving him in a world unknown to him. While in prison, he befriends another inmate named Jeanpierre Gandu, or Christo. Their friendship soon leads Edmund to become involved in robberies. After serving a prison sentence, Edmund is released but is soon brought back due to past convictions. Two months later, he meets Christo again, who proposes that he join his team of robbers. Edmund faces a difficult decision but eventually agrees.00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", Edmund Vidal and his associates, Kristo and Patty, carry out their first heist, stealing 20,000 Franks from an industrialist's villa. They then learn the art of snatching briefcases from cash transporters during fund transfers, which leads to a successful heist worth nearly 990,000 Franks. However, their criminal activities take a turn for the worse when they become involved in a violent altercation at a bar, leading to a failed attempt to rob the individuals involved. This incident results in serious consequences, including injuries and arrests, and sends the group into hiding. During their time in hiding, Christo meets a group of former Algerian military personnel turned robbers, known as the Seon Valley Gang. Despite their successes, the gang is eventually arrested, and Christo serves five years in prison. While in prison, he meets a man named Iro, whom he had encountered during a burglary on the run in the South. After his release, Edmund Vidal begins training as an electrician and is granted semi-liberty before being conditionally released.00:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", we learn about how Edmund Vidal, a man struggling with poverty and a criminal past, crosses paths with the intelligent and experienced Joani "Gro Jano" Chavel. Impressed by Chavel's intelligence and military skills, Vidal is recruited into Chavel's criminal organization, the Lion Gang, which was formed in the late 1960s by Jean AA and other notorious figures in Leon's underworld. The gang, which specialized in robberies, was financed by Jean AA, who had influence in both the criminal underworld and politics. Vidal is initially recruited to provide information on lucrative heists in exchange for a share of the loot and a cut for the political party involved. The proposition surprises Vidal with the mention of billions, leading him to join the gang and become one of its original members. The adventure of the Lion Gang can now begin.00:20:00 In this section of "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", Edmund Vidal, also known as Mamon, meets Raul and Pierre Purah, two of the most prominent figures in the Underworld. Impressed by their aura of superiority and natural confidence, Mamon begins his training under Raul, who is known for his courage and ability to withstand intense interrogations, and Pierre Purah, a discreet and enigmatic member of the Leon gang. Together, they plan and execute a robbery targeting a company's payroll, with Mamon driving the getaway car. The heist is a success, and they recruit Nicholas Kaklamanos, a well-known and reliable gangster, to join their team due to his financial difficulties.00:25:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the gang, led by "Mone" and "Nick the Greek," continues their successful heist series in 1970. They perfect their operational method, which includes reconnaissance missions, preparation, and the heist itself, using disguises and heavy weaponry to intimidate. At a gathering in the "Godfather's" villa, they discuss the "big deal," a robbery involving robbing four armed guards and employees at a post office for 20 or 30 million Franks. The gang members, including Barry Bernard and Shivu, give their approval, and Joan Chavel is put in charge of setting up the operation. The gang trains in shooting in a forest and carries out a dress rehearsal at the Shambry post office, stealing 2.2 million Franks. Despite some doubts about the feasibility of the heist, they continue preparing for the big affair, which is fast approaching.00:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the gang, including Raul, Grow, Alain Shivu, Nick, and Mamon, discuss and agree on a new plan for the Strasbourg heist. However, when they arrive at the bank, they discover that there are fewer money bags than anticipated. Unconvinced by this development, Mamon and Barry remain skeptical, but the decision is made to postpone the heist until the end of the following quarter. During this time, the gang commits small thefts to hone their skills and continues scouting in Strasbourg. Mamon and Pierra discover a small window on the second floor of the post office, which they believe is the weak point, and plan to enter during broad daylight. They return to Leon to infiltrate the premises at nightfall and successfully locate the toilet area. The gang buys a lock to change, but Grow advises against it due to the risk of detection. Instead, they buy the same lock and remove the pillars so that any key can open it. The relay vehicles and escape route are prepared, and the heist is set for June 30, 1971. Nick drives a Renault van containing all the accomplices to the post office, and when the convoy transporting the money arrives, it's the signal for Mamon, Sho, and Bernard to carry out the heist.00:35:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the gang, including Momon, Nick the Greek, Chevo, Parah, and Bernard, executes the robbery of a post office in France. They enter the post office while the postal workers are shaking hands with the armed police officers, taking advantage of the distraction. Once the postal workers close the door and the cops leave, the gangsters take the money and flee in less than 5 minutes. The loot, worth over 1 billion old Franks, is hidden and divided among the gang members. However, Momon is unhappy about giving half of the loot to politicians and this leads to a split within the gang. Meanwhile, the police are under pressure to explain the robbery and their only clue is a candy wrapper left at the scene.00:40:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the investigation into the series of heists committed by the Lion Gang intensifies. The police find the getaway vehicles and abandoned hideout, but with no concrete leads or evidence, they struggle to identify the perpetrators. Witness testimonies are inconsistent, with some describing a man with blonde hair and others a mustached individual. The police offer a large reward for information but receive few solid leads. Meanwhile, the gang continues to plan and execute heists, including one at the cash office of Kapur in venu. During this robbery, the grow is injured for the first time, and the gang uses weapons, leaving behind blood evidence. This botched robbery changes the course of the investigation, as the authorities begin to suspect the Lion Gang and focus their attention on the region of Des Sigs, the birthplace of the grow.00:45:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the gang, led by Momon Vidal, successfully robs three cash carriers in Claremont Fon, totaling 340,000 Franks. However, the police are unable to catch them due to a lack of concrete evidence. The investigation takes a new turn when an informant from Strasburg provides two new nicknames, Patrick and Jano. In July 1972, Joanni Chevel is identified by the judicial police, and the noose begins to tighten around the Leon gang. Chevel becomes paranoid and spends his money extravagantly, leading his accomplices to raid the strong room of the post office in Mous and steal another billion old Franks. In 1973, Momon forms a new generation of the Leon gang with his childhood friends, including Pura, Christo, pipo, Michelle, and his brother Constantine. The new gang plans heists targeting supermarkets and factory payrolls outside the Lion region. However, the older Leon gang, led by Lro, becomes a threat and attempts to assassinate Joanni Chevel and Momon. The first assassination attempt on Momon occurs on June 15th, 1973, when he is shot and killed at the sporting club of Lion PL.00:50:00 In this section of the YouTube video "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the investigation into the Leyon gang's robberies continues, with the discovery of a new suspect named Pierre Pura. The gang carries out several successful heists, including one targeting a dying factory and another targeting a convoy carrying over 300,000 Franks. Despite scant evidence, the investigation stalls until a tip from an informant leads authorities to suspect the Leyon gang is planning a big hit in the Groby area. In response, the authorities launch an exceptional operation to catch the criminals, including wiretapping sensitive locations, patrolling on foot, and hiding in cars. Despite harsh conditions and long monitoring periods, the gang manages to elude capture and strikes again, targeting the cash office of a Caror store containing nearly 940,000 Franks. Frustrated, the authorities open an investigation for criminal association and illegally infiltrate Edmund Vidal's apartment to plant bugs and search for evidence. They find a collection of Michelin maps and notes, which they decode to identify potential cities where the gang could strike. In response, the police launch Operation Chakal, deploying 118 officers to six specific geographical points and setting up multiple roadblocks with spike strips and firing positions. Their intention is clear: upon sighting the heavily armed gangsters, they will open fire.00:55:00 In this section of the YouTube video "The Billion-Dollar Heist: Inside the Lyon Gang's Epic Robbery Story!", the authorities' attempts to apprehend the Lion Gang following their successful robberies in northern France are detailed. Despite deploying significant resources to block their escape, the gang manages to evade capture by changing their plans and taking the highway. The police are caught off guard, leading to another humiliating failure. Frustrated by the criminal success, the authorities build a case of criminal association against the gang and eventually arrest them all, except for Purai, who is caught the next day. The authorities discover a hideout containing firearms, fake documents, balaclavas, and cash from the robberies, providing crucial evidence for the trial. However, the interrogations are harsh, and some unexpected arrests are made, including women and even mothers of the gangsters. The legal battle begins, but a shocking turn of events occurs when Judge Renault, in charge of the case, is assassinated. The gang vehemently denies involvement, and the trial, which begins in 1977, makes headlines.