HOW WE WORKED
Before the operation, one of the thieves, Antip, would go on a reconnaissance mission. Antip, who was the least conspicuous of all, would walk through the cars targeted during the boarding to see who was traveling, how much stuff there was, what the conductor was like, and whether there were any cops around. Then someone would go “unseal” the targeted car, which meant unlocking all the doors on both sides, including the two end-doors. The gang leader, who was also the most expert thief, would be the first to enter the car to figure out the best way to grab the stuff. He would skillfully and noiselessly pull out the “corner booty” from under the shelves, or grab stuff from the shelves and set it out in the passageway. Another thief would come along, as if walking by, grab the
