• Sweden edition

Prison for Gothenburg post depot robbers

Published: 11 Jun 09 15:12 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20018/20090611/

A Gothenburg court on Thursday sentenced 13 people to prison for their role in the dramatic robbery of a postal depot in January 2008.

The 33-year-old who led the operation was sentenced to seven years in prison, while 12 other accomplices were given sentences varying in length between three years and five years, four months.

Two other suspects originally included in the 16-person indictment were acquitted, while a third was given a suspended sentence.

According to the indictment, the latter three were suspected of procuring cars in November for use during the January heist.

The gang of heavily armed assailants struck a postal depot near Gothenburg’s central train station in the early hours of January 22nd, 2008, forcing 11 employees to the floor at gunpoint.

Around the same time, fake bombs were placed outside of police headquarters on Skånegatan and another local police office.

The robbers also set several cars on fire in an attempt to create confusion and impede police efforts to come after the perpetrators.

Parts of central Gothenburg were blocked off and hundreds of residents were evacuated because of the threat.

But despite all of the robbers’ preparations, the caper failed to yield the 80 million kronor ($10.3 million) they had expected.

Instead, the thieves ended up with loot worth only about 500,000 kronor, consisting mostly of lunch vouchers (Rikskuponger).

Most of the 16 charged in the case grew up together in the Stockholm area. Eleven of them participated in the actual robbery and related acts of sabotage.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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17:27 June 11, 2009 by Black Pharoah
This is horrible reporting.

I have a few questions still lingering in my mind after reading this article. For example, was this a inside job? Vem is the 33 year old? This article seems to be sanatized for outsiders. Nevertheless, how come these thugs didnt go to college and get real jobs? Isn't education in Sweden free?

I'm leaving to Sweden in 19 days hopefully its not a wannabe New York because I am looking for a better quality of life.
18:04 June 11, 2009 by antoniolgj
"...hopefully its not a wannabe New York..."

Nop. With the number of Muslims growing so fast it's a Bagdad wannabe...
19:15 June 11, 2009 by bekililly
why dont try amnd make movie from this!
10:10 June 12, 2009 by hpunlimited
I have read up on the background facts. This heist was planned by some gangleader from the Stockholm suburbs of Hässelby, he wanted this money to finance a war against a rival gang that knifestabbed him while he was in prison. He got the information from some guy that worked for a security company. They were apparently so stupid that the gangleader even had to give his followers notes on how to spell certain words in Swedish on items that they were placing out. He was arrested for the Arlanda heist that gave 40 million, but was let out because of lack of evidence. The money was never found. 7 years prison and he will serve half time for good behavior, already been in custody for a year, so he will probably be let out in 2-3 years. And then onto more crime spree's in the future.
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