I read the translation by Ken Follett titled Under the Streets of Nice.

Based on the true story of the break-in into a Société Générale bank in Nice, France 1976.

At the time it was the biggest heist in history.

In the book the leader of the ragtag band was Albert Spaggiari. A larger than life character.

For example, Spaggiari contacted the CIA bragging that he was the brains behind the bank robbery. Offering to work for the Americans in their future clandestine break-ins.

After finally getting caught, the ringleader escaped to Argentina becoming something of a folk hero in popular culture.

He died of lung cancer on 8 June 1989.

In truth stranger than fiction, the incompetence of the French police was unbelievable.