On October 29, 1964, Allan Dale Kuhn and Jack Roland Murphy, known as “Murf the Surf,” broke into the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and stole 24 gems, including the Star of India, DeLong Star Ruby, and Midnight Star. This theft was the largest jewel heist in U.S. history. The thieves were able to enter the museum by scaling a fence and a fire escape, then used a rope to swing into the J.P. Morgan Hall of Gems and Minerals. They used low-tech methods such as a glass cutter and duct tape to break into display cases and collect the gems. The two men then split up and took separate cabs to avoid suspicion.
The heist revealed shocking security lapses at the museum, including dead batteries in burglar alarms, unlocked windows, and unsecured overnight security guards with the gems. Despite their criminal inexperience, Murphy and Kuhn left no fingerprints at the scene. They were eventually arrested after throwing a lavish party in a hotel not far from the museum. Police found marijuana, a floor plan of the museum, and books on gemstones in their hotel suite. The getaway car driver, Roger Frederick Clark, informed the police that Kuhn and Murphy had fled to Florida. The three men were tried for the jewel heist, with Kuhn, Murphy, and Clark eventually pleading guilty and sentenced to three years at Rikers Island Correctional Facility in New York.
Some of the stolen gems were recovered in January 1965 at a Miami bus terminal, including the Star of India. However, the DeLong Ruby remained missing until September 1965 when it was recovered after the individual who acquired it agreed to return it in exchange for a $25,000 ransom. The museum took significant steps to upgrade its security procedures in response to the heist. The story of the heist was later made into a film titled “Murf the Surf,” also known as “Live a Little, Steal a Lot.” The theft of the gems, particularly the Star of India, DeLong Star Ruby, and Midnight Star, remains one of the most significant jewel heists in U.S. history.
The lack of security measures, including dead batteries in burglar alarms, unlocked windows, and an unsecured overnight security guard with the gems, allowed Murphy and Kuhn to carry out their heist. Their low-tech methods, such as using a glass cutter and duct tape to break into display cases, allowed them to collect the gems without leaving any fingerprints. The thieves were eventually arrested after throwing a lavish party in a hotel not far from the museum, where police found incriminating evidence such as marijuana, a floor plan of the museum, and books on gemstones in their suite.
After their arrest, Kuhn, Murphy, and Clark were tried for their roles in the jewel heist and ultimately pleaded guilty. They were sentenced to three years at Rikers Island Correctional Facility in New York. Some of the stolen gems were recovered, including the Star of India in January 1965 and the DeLong Ruby in September 1965 after the individual who acquired it agreed to return it in exchange for a ransom. The American Museum of Natural History significantly upgraded its security procedures in response to the heist, implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The story of the jewel heist was later adapted into a film titled “Murf the Surf,” recounting the dramatic events surrounding the theft of the valuable gems and the subsequent arrests and recovery efforts.
