The Bling Ring were successful in their crimes for a little while and obviously Mr Security Team didn't stop them. They got caught via the oldest tale in time; a rat on the ship.

Yes they are. they always have been. The Praetorian guard killed the Emperor and auctioned Rome off, the winner was killed 66 days later due to one of the 3 army's marching on Rome due to the auction. The bidding was just 2 guys one of which (the emperor to be) had to yell their bids from outside the wall of the praetorian guard camp. The army didn't even have to fight, just their presence was enough to get the Senate to execute the new Emperor.

The pattern is always the same rich people destabilize countries due to their greed and fear, but they cope that it won't affect them. Like they can somehow hedge against the collapse of society by hiring a few guards and building a bunker. Money that could stabilize society instead gets spent on bunkers, guards and art galleries.

tyrants and crooks can survive in the moment but can rarely hold a general rebellion. they can either flee or get pulled apart by the mob.

boots eventually tread the marble floors and empty halls. the new reich chancellery, the people's palace of syria, al faw, to name a few.

"You may hand us over to the executioner, but in three months time, the disgusted and harried people will bring you to book and drag you alive through the dirt in the streets." - General Erwin von Witzleben

it applies less to the oligarchy, all the same the good times probably do not roll on forever for regime cronies