It has the makings of a Hollywood movie, lies, theft and an unsolved mystery. One of the world's most lucrative art thefts, the Gardner Museum Heist, occurred on this day, March 18th, 1990.

Two unarmed men, disguised as police officers, convinced Isabella Stewart Gardner museum security guards a distress call had been recorded from within the revered art institution. The guards were tied up and left in the basement while the assailants abducted over 300 million dollars worth of art. Pieces from such esteemed artists as Rembrant, Degas and Vermeer were stolen in less than two hours.

The "distress" button was never activated during the heist; therefore no law enforcement officials were deployed. Before exiting the museum early that morning, the burglars confiscated the video surveillance tape. Despite a five million-dollar reward and significant media coverage, twelve years later not one piece has been returned.