LATAM 787 Target Of $32.5 Million Heist At Santiago Airport, Leaving Two Dead

LATAM 787 Target Of $32.5 Million Heist At Santiago Airport, Leaving Two Dead

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My gosh, this seems like something right out of a movie, and sadly there were fatalities.

Robbers try to steal cash from plane arriving from Miami

Earlier today (Wednesday), a LATAM Boeing 787-9 was the target of a heist at the airport. The aircraft had just landed from Miami in the morning, and was carrying $32.5 million in cash that was supposed to be transfered to an armored truck, and then be delivered to several banks in the country.

Robbers were clearly made aware of the valuable cargo on this jet, and around 10 heavily armed robbers managed to avoid security and reach the apron at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.

This caused a shootout between the robbers and security officials. Tragically a security official was left dead, and a robber died as well. Following this shootout, the robbers fled the airport. Two burned vehicles were later found near the airport, presumably to cover up the identity of those behind this scheme.

Chile’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has made it clear that this attempted heist will lead to the revision of processes and protocols to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again. However, this isn’t the first time that we’ve seen something like this at Santiago Airport.

In 2020, thieves managed to steal $15 million from a warehouse at the airport, while several years prior to that, thieves managed to steal $10 million. While this plot was ultimately unsuccessful, it would have been the largest heist yet.

Was a Delta plane damaged in this incident?

Initially there were reports that a Delta Airbus A350-900 got caught up in this situation. The plane was parked right next to the LATAM 787-9 that was the target of the heist. Some people at the airport claimed that as part of the exchange of gunfire between the robbers and security officials, several bullets ended up in the fuselage of the Delta jet.

However, that’s not the case. A Delta spokesperson confirms that the airline has extensively examined the aircraft and has not found any damage. The aircraft is still operating its regular service. For what it’s worth, this particular Delta aircraft has the registration code N574DZ, and it’s a roughly four year old jet that was acquired through LATAM.

Bottom line

A LATAM Boeing 787-9 was the target of a robbery today at Santiago Airport. The aircraft was carrying $32.5 million in cash, and 10 armed robbers managed to storm the apron and then attempted to steal the valuable cargo.

Gunfire was exchanged between security officers and the robbers, and the criminals ended up fleeing. Sadly there were fatalities — my thoughts are with the family of the brave security officer who lost their life in this incident.

What do you make of this attempted heist at Santiago Airport?

Conversations (16)
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  1. R Powers Guest

    Why were 35 million dollars being transferred from the USA to Chile when they don't use the US dollar. I do not understand why the money came from the USA to Chile? That seems to be a bigger question.

    1. Billy B Guest

      Paper currency is still used and the USD is (still) strong in the entire world.
      Banks want to be able to provide paper currency to clients. Doubt LATAM would be transporting “black” money.

  2. David S. Guest

    I couldn't read your report. You have too many "pop ups". Pity. I used to read all of your reports.

  3. Phil Guest

    @Samo.
    In the US shootings are not common in airports... they (are sadly) common in schools.

  4. ConcordeBoy Diamond

    Aircraft departed and is currently off the coast of Peru, so bullet holes must not have been critical.

  5. beachmouse Member

    Apparently the bullet holes were judged to be ‘cosmetic’ by mechanics and pilots because FlightAware is showing an on time departure for the return to Atlanta. How to you say ‘slap some speed tape on the bullet holes and we’re good’ in Spanish?

  6. Brian Gasser Guest

    Will be interested in learn how during a shootout the robbers could leave the airport without airport or metro police following them. Not inspiring confidence 10 heavy armed robbers got access to commercial aircraft on an apron

  7. Trey Guest

    Why are we transporting cash in 2023? Surely LATAM knows a guy who knows a guy that can receive cash in Miami and can pay out in Santiago de Chile...no?

    1. ML Guest

      How else do you suppose paper currency gets to where it is needed if not by plane? It reads to me that this paper currency was going to banks that likely need.... paper currency.

  8. Paul Nagy Guest

    You should see the news coming out of North America!!

    1. BBK Diamond

      You should stop being obsessed with America. Envy rots the soul!.

  9. Heist Guest

    Maybe the robbers were at the wrong airport and after the wrong airline
    It was Swiss Air Idiots, that had The gold bars. Maybe they should have consulted Danny DeVito and Gene Hackman before going after the plane.
    They forgot to watch the movie The HEIST It was meticulously planned.

  10. BenjaminGuttery Diamond

    This is very sad. Condolences to the families of brave workers who lost their lives or were affected by this. My husband and I were thinking of going to Chile/South America soon. But all of the news from there recently is very concerning.

    1. pstm91 Diamond

      You can find negative stories, including shootings, from anywhere. Chile is one of my all time favorite places and is very safe. Highly recommend.

    2. Samo Guest

      Sorry but shootings aren't common "everywhere", and shootings inside airport perimeter even less so. As much as I'd like to visit South America, I am too avoiding it for that reason and sticking to Europe + some parts of Asia, where chances of any violent crime are much much slimer.

    3. 44Granman Guest

      LOL, Chile is definitely seeing an uptick in crime. Still safer than most parts of South America.

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The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Brian Gasser Guest

Will be interested in learn how during a shootout the robbers could leave the airport without airport or metro police following them. Not inspiring confidence 10 heavy armed robbers got access to commercial aircraft on an apron

3
Samo Guest

Sorry but shootings aren't common "everywhere", and shootings inside airport perimeter even less so. As much as I'd like to visit South America, I am too avoiding it for that reason and sticking to Europe + some parts of Asia, where chances of any violent crime are much much slimer.

2
pstm91 Diamond

You can find negative stories, including shootings, from anywhere. Chile is one of my all time favorite places and is very safe. Highly recommend.

2
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