‘Out of a movie’: The $360,000 unsolved heist that terrified premiership Panthers

This is the terrifying story of a premiership-winning Panthers side, armed bandits, a 32-year silence and a $360,000 daylight heist which remains unsolved.

The heist remains one of Penrith’s greatest mysteries.

This is the terrifying story about a premiership-winning Panthers side, armed bandits, a 32-year silence and a $360,000 daylight heist which remains unsolved to this day.

“It was something out of a movie script and remains one of Penrith’s greatest mysteries,” remembered former Panthers star Brad Fittler.

Ex-Panthers forward Lou Zivanovic has been told who could be responsible for the brazen robbery – but he won’t name names.

At 11am on September 23, 1991, the day after Penrith famously won their first grand final, three thieves burst through a back security door behind a cashed-up Panthers Leagues Club and stole $360,000.

Panthers players had left the club and were continuing celebrations at the Pioneer Tavern, 4.5km away, when told of the hold up.

“I remember hearing that someone had pulled off a heist. It grabbed everyone’s attention, that’s for sure,” said Panthers legend Greg Alexander, who, like Fittler, played in that grand final.

The criminals posed as caterers and fired gunshots during the daring raid. But they couldn’t carry any more cash, leaving another $700,000 in the club. They used four cars in their getaway. Those three men are still at large.

The heist remains one of Penrith’s greatest mysteries.

While conducting interviews for this story, this masthead was told the identity of two prime suspects allegedly behind the crime but cannot legally name them.

Police at the time felt it was an ‘inside job’ amid speculation about a notorious criminal gang being involved.

This all happened about 12 hours after Penrith’s historic 19-12 win over Canberra to secure the club’s first title.

“No one has ever found out who it was. I’ve been told a number of times from various people who they think did it – but I’m not naming names,” Zivanovic said.

“I have always kept those names to myself and some of the people that were quoted to me have since passed away. I’d rather not say anything about it. But for someone to have the audacity to smash and grab, and get away with it, they certainly had balls.

“It was our first grand final win and everyone had gone back to the club. It was mayhem. We were all shocked because there were thousands of people there at 11am.

“They gained entry through the back door and I’m still surprised they got away with it. You could put together all sorts of theories.”

With more than $1m on premises, it was the ideal hit.

Penrith Panthers, 1991 premiers.

How we reported the incident on the front page.

“I thought it was pretty clever,” Fittler said.

Armaguard had accepted the cash before the masked thieves swooped on two armed guards. It is understood 40 people actually witnessed the robbery.

Former Panthers player Steve Martin, a senior constable stationed at Penrith in 1991, remains stunned no arrests were made.

“They never found them. It’s still unsolved,” Martin said. “Thirty-two years later and nobody is none the wiser.

“You would have thought someone would have said something or boasted about it. That’s how they generally get caught – someone boasts about it – but it’s never been solved.

“It was a smart time to do it. The club was packed. It was 15 deep at the bar and the celebrations went on until some ungodly hour. If you were half smart, that was the right time.

“Not all thieves are dumb.”

Former premiership-winning hooker Mark Budgen, an ex-senior constable also stationed at Penrith, added: “There was money everywhere (that night) because of the grand final. It was unbelievable.”

The Penrith community was shocked at how the culprits defied detection given the theft was in daylight with fans milling around post grand final.

During the raid, a pregnant woman and her child were forced to take cover in the carpark. A massive police and detective investigation failed to secure any arrests.

“There was a bit of surprise and it probably changed the topic of conversation for a short period. Apparently they got away with a lot of money,” Alexander said.

“I can’t recall if some of the players went back to the club after hearing about it. We would have been at the Pioneer Tavern for breakfast but I think we moved onto the Aussie Arms Hotel. We didn’t let it spoil our celebrations, put it that way.”

Rugby league historian David Middleton recalls his memories of the drama.

“When you think about it, a Leagues Club that traded all night after a grand final victory was an obvious target for a heist but the brazen nature of the daylight robbery caught everyone off guard,” Middleton said.

“Many of the Panthers players, who were supposed to be preparing for the World Club Challenge in England, had left the club hours earlier and continued celebrations at the Pioneer Tavern a few kilometres away when they heard of the robbery.

“The players were shocked by the news for maybe a minute … but it was not about to stop the party.”

Witness Carol Barber told The Daily Telegraph at the time: “As soon as I heard the bang I grabbed my daughter and ducked.

“All I could think about was her and I hid the both of us behind a nearby car.” Police said the crooks had extensive knowledge of the club’s layout and said the robbery was meticulously well-planned.

Originally published as ‘Out of a movie’: The $360,000 unsolved heist that terrified premiership Panthers