STEALING MANHATTAN: The Untold Story of America’s Billion Dollar Gem Heist Masterminds

by Burl Barer, Punch Stanimorvic

Punch Stanimirovic “My father, known as Mr. Stan, is the greatest gentleman thief who ever lived—a true genius." Punch was raised to be an exceptional diamond thief . He could work magic on a safe that would have sent Mandrake the Magician back to the novelty store, and Dr. Strange back to medical school. He and his family risked it all to make the patriarch, Mr. Stan, proud. Punch’s pop culture sensibilities , his father’s proven skills, and his mother’s artistic input merged to create cinema-style capers—elaborately planned and executed, including a spectacular 1992 New York mega-heist of over one billion dollars in diamonds, gold, and precious gems—and they got away with it. Many of the crew members went on to invest in real estate, helping to “build the New York skyline”, while others moved to Europe and became the Pink Panthers. They had one rule : No One Gets Hurt . From daring heists to the ultimate escape, discover the true story of Punch, his extraordinary crew, and his high-society family. Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author Burl Barer brings to light the remarkable story of four decades and two generations of America’s First Family of kind and generous “altruistic outlaws” in STEALING The Untold Story of America’s Billion Dollar Gem Heist Masterminds.

Genres: Audiobook, True Crime

296 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stealing Manhattan by Berl Barer is a vastly different book from his usual murder books but is a remarkably interesting true story read and a very enjoyable book about Mr. Stan Stanimirovic. Stan who is said to be the greatest gentleman thief who ever lived has one rule: No One Gets Hurt which means No Guns. You will enjoy reading about Mr Stan with his son Punch who says that his father is a true genius and how the planning of his daring heists and the ultimate escapes, jumping roof tops, scaling walls and how they avoid the police.

I enjoyed getting to discover the true story of Punch, his extraordinary crew, and his high-society family. The book brings to light the remarkable story of four decades and two generations of America’s First Family who raised their son Punch to be an exceptional diamond thief. Punch is sent to the most exclusive and expensive schools and can speak several languages and could have done any legitimate job, but Stan had other ideas and new his son had his qualities and proven skills to follow in his footsteps.

All robberies are elaborately planned and executed, including a spectacular 1992 New York mega-heist of over one billion dollars in diamonds, gold, and precious gems which they got away with it. It is a great read as Punch is only 15 when he goes full time into the family business and Stan and Punch have their moments as Punch fights a lot with Stan being a teenager and Punch thinks he can do things better than dad and goes off with his own crew. This turns out to be an unbelievably bad idea and he is soon back side by side with Mr Stan. The family’s highs and lows are told as they go from doing heists, being robbed individually and as a family, separating and coming back together. They are altruistic outlaws and only rob from businesses who are fully and usually fully insured. A very enjoyable read. Thanks to WildBlue Press I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Judith A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to casually read. I inhaled it in an overnight marathon reading.
"Stealing Manhattan" is a fascinating read into the world of safe cracking, professional theft, and the family whose legacy was theft and deceit. My jaw dropped so many times I think I got lockjaw.
Burl Baer writes as if you were sitting together and he is telling a story. It's a no-holds-barred (Barer?), amusing, somber, and well-researched roller coaster ride. He never fails to impress.
Rarely you get a true crime book that is not about a blonde-haired, white female being stalked by a human monster. I enjoyed this book in part because it was not your typical "true crime" but a refreshing, interesting departure for the everyday stories that we watch, read, and worry over. The brazen thought process and gall it took for this thief to steal is mind boggling. Forget movies that feature slick, hip characters pulling off the perfect heist. This is the real deal.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was hoping for a good heist story. This was not it. Quick summaries (one or two paragraphs) of multiple heists. Seems hastily written with one source intent on bragging about himself. No proofreading - commas in the wrong place, wrong words (for example, “oh” instead of “on”), etc - made it difficult to read. Would not recommend.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my attention from the first page to the last

[Pavle Stanimirovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read page turner finally is what she said.

My friend already Finished the book this morning
And said this . I am blown away by Punch’s story I knew it was a winner as soon as I seen author Burl Barer involved, I automatically knew it was going to be a sensational read. Well done.

Other friends ranting and raving about it.
Very happy to see this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️