The (Almost) Perfect Heist

The astonishing true story behind the 1977 Vancouver Safety Deposit Vaults robbery—one of Canada's most ambitious and mysterious heists.

What began as background research for a crime novel evolved into a years-long investigation, leading Levers to police archives and forgotten news stories. Despite the passage of nearly five decades, many witnesses still refused to speak openly—a silence that only deepened the intrigue. With a cast of seasoned criminals, an impenetrable vault, and a plan bold enough for Hollywood, the heist seemed destined for legend.

Much of the loot was never recovered, and key questions remain unanswered.

Part true-crime thriller, part investigative memoir, The (Almost) Perfect Heist peels back the layers of a long-buried caper and asks: how close did they come to pulling off the perfect crime?