Shivangi Sinha
There’s a thrill in hearing heist stories told by those directly involved. They offer rare insight and a personal perspective that no secondhand account can match. Netflix’s ‘Stolen: Heist of the Century’ captures this by featuring Leonardo Notarbartolo, the man authorities identified as the mastermind behind the infamous Antwerp Diamond Heist. His firsthand account gave viewers a peek into the mindset and meticulous planning behind one of the most legendary robberies in history. He spoke candidly and honestly and did not hold back while sharing what he regretted the most.
Leonardo Notarbartolo Was Arrested After His Return to Antwerp
Leonardo Notarbartolo was born in 1952 in Palermo, Sicily, and he said that his fascination with theft began early in life. As a teenager, he dabbled in minor break-ins and developed a talent for picking locks. Over time, he shifted his focus to following jewelry traders across Italy, studying their routines to plan targeted thefts. By his 30s, Leonardo had become a part of a tight-knit group of professionals that included locksmiths, alarm technicians, tunnel diggers, and safe experts, and were notorious for dabbling in petty crimes. They lived in the Turin region and were dubbed the School of Turin. Throughout the years, Leonardo posed as a jeweler to gain access to workshops and vaults, buying small stones to establish credibility before returning to steal large quantities.
Twice a month, he visited Antwerp to offload stolen jewels for cash. By 2000, he had secured an office in the Antwerp Diamond Center under the guise of a gem importer and even rented a safety deposit box inside the vault itself. According to Leonardo, a diamond dealer in Antwerp eventually approached him with a bold proposal to rob the heavily guarded Diamond Center. Though he initially declined due to its sophisticated security system, he changed his mind after being introduced to three highly skilled collaborators. They have since been identified as Pietro Tavano, Elio D’Onorio, and Ferdinando Finotto. Leonardo claimed that he was given secret cameras to capture the footage and they used it to get to know the building better.
On the night of February 15, 2003, after months of planning, the team infiltrated the vault by disabling sensors, copying keys, and bypassing alarms. By dawn on February 16, they had cleared 123 out of 160 safe boxes and vanished with over $100 million in jewels and precious metals. Their downfall came from improperly discarded evidence, which led authorities to Leonardo. He had fled to Italy but returned to put his affairs in order so as not to raise suspicion. He was arrested days later and linked to the scene alongside his wife and accomplices. Most of the loot was never recovered. The police allege that Leonardo kept most of it.
Leonardo Notarbartolo Has Made Allegations of Insurance Fraud Since His Release
After the infamous Antwerp Diamond Heist, Leonardo Notarbartolo was identified by Belgian authorities as the mastermind behind the meticulously planned robbery. In 2005, despite his claims that a man named “Alessandro” had orchestrated the crime and hired him, no evidence supported the existence of such a figure. Consequently, Leonardo was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was granted parole in 2009 but soon ran into legal trouble again for allegedly violating the terms of his release, particularly failing to pay restitution to the victims. This breach prompted the issuance of a European Arrest Warrant, and in January 2013, Leonardo was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
He was returned to custody to serve the remainder of his sentence and was eventually released in 2017. Years later, in a controversial interview, Leonardo claimed the heist was actually part of an elaborate insurance fraud allegedly devised by a diamond dealer. However, Belgian authorities dismissed this narrative, labeling it a fabrication. They maintained that Leonardo had invented the story to mislead investigators and reduce his culpability. His version of events remains unproven and widely considered an attempt to shift blame and obscure the true motive behind the theft.
Leonardo Notarbartolo Leads a Slow-Paced Life With His Family Today
Leonardo Notarbartolo has left his past life of high-profile heists firmly behind him and chooses instead to focus on his family these days. A major reason for this transformation, he has often said, is his wife, Adriana Crudo. The couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in April 2021, a milestone that Leonardo holds close to his heart. He has shared that Adriana never knew about his criminal activities, and it wasn’t until his 2003 arrest, during which she was also briefly taken into custody, that she learned the truth. Though she was later released, the experience was deeply unsettling for him. Watching her go through something so distressing changed him. It was, in his words, a breaking point, and he resolved never to involve her in anything that would cause such pain again.
Since then, Leonardo has reinvented himself. Today, he identifies as a professional in the luxury goods and jewelry sector. He lives a quieter, more peaceful life in Giaveno, a picturesque comune in the province of Turin, Italy. Surrounded by his wife, their son, and a grandson, he now finds fulfillment in family life. They spend holidays and major life events together, whether it’s celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or simply enjoying the beauty of Italian landscapes. In January 2023, he published his memoir, ‘Rubare l’impossibile’ (Stealing the Impossible), a reflective account of his past that he promoted through book signings and public appearances.
Leonardo’s family stood proudly by his side as he marked this new chapter. He has also collaborated on several screen projects based on the Antwerp Diamond Heist, including the documentary ‘The Antwerp Diamond Heist’ and the 2023 TV series ‘Everybody Loves Diamonds.’ He now enjoys traveling, especially to beachside destinations, cultural hubs like Milan, and historical cities like Rome, where he vacationed with his family in 2024. For Leonardo, the focus today is on living his life fully.
Read More: Where is Leonardo Notarbartolo’s Wife Now?
