Cassie

40 Thieves has been recorded as another name for the gang. Other records believe that the number 40 refers to the approximate number of core members. Either way, the 40 elephants operated differently than their male allies. They didn't rely entirely on force and intimidation. Instead, they built a criminal web through precision, discretion, and trickery.

Their crimes were first featured in newspapers in 1873, but police records suggest that they had been operating long before. Between the 1870s and 1950s, they were said to be responsible for, quote, the largest shoplifting operation ever seen in Britain.

Their crimes were first featured in newspapers in 1873, but police records suggest that they had been operating long before. Between the 1870s and 1950s, they were said to be responsible for, quote, the largest shoplifting operation ever seen in Britain.

Their crimes were first featured in newspapers in 1873, but police records suggest that they had been operating long before. Between the 1870s and 1950s, they were said to be responsible for, quote, the largest shoplifting operation ever seen in Britain.

More sophisticated tricks included attaching gum to the underside of a jewelry display case. A gang member would ask to see several rings, subtly stick one to the gum and distract the clerk while another member would later retrieve the ring and walk away without suspicion. If the first woman was stopped and searched, she would have nothing on her, making arrest nearly impossible.

More sophisticated tricks included attaching gum to the underside of a jewelry display case. A gang member would ask to see several rings, subtly stick one to the gum and distract the clerk while another member would later retrieve the ring and walk away without suspicion. If the first woman was stopped and searched, she would have nothing on her, making arrest nearly impossible.

More sophisticated tricks included attaching gum to the underside of a jewelry display case. A gang member would ask to see several rings, subtly stick one to the gum and distract the clerk while another member would later retrieve the ring and walk away without suspicion. If the first woman was stopped and searched, she would have nothing on her, making arrest nearly impossible.

Leveraging the fashion of the time, the 40 elephants dressed in voluminous skirts, wide coats, and ornate hats, clothing that provided the perfect cover for theft. Many of their garments were custom-tailored with false linings and secret pouches, allowing them to smuggle items undetected within the seams of their clothes. This became their signature method of theft.

Leveraging the fashion of the time, the 40 elephants dressed in voluminous skirts, wide coats, and ornate hats, clothing that provided the perfect cover for theft. Many of their garments were custom-tailored with false linings and secret pouches, allowing them to smuggle items undetected within the seams of their clothes. This became their signature method of theft.

Leveraging the fashion of the time, the 40 elephants dressed in voluminous skirts, wide coats, and ornate hats, clothing that provided the perfect cover for theft. Many of their garments were custom-tailored with false linings and secret pouches, allowing them to smuggle items undetected within the seams of their clothes. This became their signature method of theft.

Some women took things even further. One member reportedly wore an artificial arm to appear unassuming, using her real hand to quietly swipe items from shelves. That actually reminds me of an experience I had when I was in Europe because I, so this was when I was, I think it was 14 and we went to Italy and we went to the Vatican and there was a really long line to get inside.

Some women took things even further. One member reportedly wore an artificial arm to appear unassuming, using her real hand to quietly swipe items from shelves. That actually reminds me of an experience I had when I was in Europe because I, so this was when I was, I think it was 14 and we went to Italy and we went to the Vatican and there was a really long line to get inside.

Some women took things even further. One member reportedly wore an artificial arm to appear unassuming, using her real hand to quietly swipe items from shelves. That actually reminds me of an experience I had when I was in Europe because I, so this was when I was, I think it was 14 and we went to Italy and we went to the Vatican and there was a really long line to get inside.

So we were just standing outside and there were a lot of things going on, a lot of people on the road, but there were also beggars. And there was specifically this one woman who was carrying a baby and And she was going around and she was asking for money from people. She's like, here, I'm a new mom. I have a baby. Like, can you help me kind of thing?

So we were just standing outside and there were a lot of things going on, a lot of people on the road, but there were also beggars. And there was specifically this one woman who was carrying a baby and And she was going around and she was asking for money from people. She's like, here, I'm a new mom. I have a baby. Like, can you help me kind of thing?

So we were just standing outside and there were a lot of things going on, a lot of people on the road, but there were also beggars. And there was specifically this one woman who was carrying a baby and And she was going around and she was asking for money from people. She's like, here, I'm a new mom. I have a baby. Like, can you help me kind of thing?

But it was all an illusion because her baby was actually in like a. like a wrap around her chest and she had her arms free. And when you would go to like get her something or you would turn around or whatever, she would be like holding out one hand to grab, like to take whatever you were offering her. And it looked like her other hand was holding her baby, but it wasn't.

But it was all an illusion because her baby was actually in like a. like a wrap around her chest and she had her arms free. And when you would go to like get her something or you would turn around or whatever, she would be like holding out one hand to grab, like to take whatever you were offering her. And it looked like her other hand was holding her baby, but it wasn't.

But it was all an illusion because her baby was actually in like a. like a wrap around her chest and she had her arms free. And when you would go to like get her something or you would turn around or whatever, she would be like holding out one hand to grab, like to take whatever you were offering her. And it looked like her other hand was holding her baby, but it wasn't.

And she would actually pickpocket you in the same moment as you were either helping or not helping her.