• Sweden edition

Helicopter heist hits global top ten list

Published: 5 Oct 09 11:05 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/22468/20091005/

September's helicopter cash depot heist in Stockholm qualifies as one of the ten most spectacular heists of all time, according to a new list published by Time magazine.

The website of the high circulation US weekly likens the audacious chopper-borne smash and grab to a scene from Mission Impossible.

"Just before sunrise on Sept. 23, the burglars arrived on the rooftop of the GS4 cash depot, smashed the glass roof, detonated their way to the building's vault, and hoisted themselves — and the bags of money they made off with — back up to the helicopter," writes Time.

The magazine also notes that the robbers were brazen enough to create a decoy using a bag labeled with the word 'BOMB'.

The Västberga cash depot heist comes in at number ten on Time's list, which is topped by the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 (see below for full list).

Professor of criminology Leif G W Persson does not think the helicopter heist merits its place among history's most spectacular.

"It's certainly quite unique for Scandinavia with all the logistics involved and everything. But no, I don't think so," he told newspaper Aftonbladet.

External link: Time magazine's top ten heists »

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

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

11:25 October 5, 2009 by rrabbit
Professor of criminology Leif G W Persson does not think the helicopter heist merits its place among history's most spectacular.

"It's certainly quite unique for Scandinavia with all the logistics involved and everything. But no, I don't think so," he

lol who cares
11:35 October 5, 2009 by Hauhr
If this event is to be one of the top 10 then I guess there will have to be a movie about it. Hollywood would of course have to adapt the story slightly. The robbers would have to be ex-marines who have been falsely accused of treason and have broken out of a maximum security facility to pull this off. And they are not actually after the money, only a mythical stone which holds the answer and will prove their innocence. One of the gang is terminally ill due to a battle wound and the money will be used to pay for an experimental miracle cure.
12:12 October 5, 2009 by peropaco
@Hauhr; I think that movie is called The Rock and Dog day afternoon blended in one ;-)= Title. Rock the afternoon dog?
18:43 October 5, 2009 by Thompsuleme
Of course it merits its place!In this day and age, to plan such and succeed making it look so easy when a single wrong move could blow it up.Well done mates.I hope they are somewhere sipping some tequilla with their beautiful women(an island i presume) and enjoying better weather than we have here now.(thats how it ends in the movies) :)

I hate thieves but we got to admit....these guys were super cool and ill be the first to buy a ticket to the movies if they make one about this.
18:49 October 5, 2009 by spy
Oceans 15!
19:44 October 5, 2009 by Atlas
Doesn't anyone see another movie with heist, this time in Sweden!!!
21:43 October 5, 2009 by hfvikingarna
It is not because that the robbers are smart but the stupid and unprofessional Swedish police. It is a big big question mark about the competence of the Swedish police.
12:35 October 6, 2009 by DamnImmigrant
Common, this was a brilliant, non-violent robbery!

I think the government should grant amnesty to the robbers and let them keep the money, have them tell how it went down in absolute detail and then the movie rights belong to the government!

Better than putting them in jail for 2 years.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
GOTHENBURG SCHOOL STABBING
Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old

Man held for stabbing Swedish 10-year-old

A 28-year-old man suspected of stabbing a young girl in the throat at the beginning of February has been apprehended and is being held in another country pending Sweden's extradition demand. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Swedish man lay 'dead for weeks' in Lund flat

A man in Lund, southern Sweden, lay dead in his house for weeks before his body was discovered, as visiting care staff had left after the man failed to answer his door. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Sweden expels foreign official: report

The Swedish government said on Tuesday it has expelled a foreign diplomat, but spokespeople were unwilling to confirm international reports that it was a high level official from Rwanda. READ »

THE LOCAL LIST
Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored

Sweden's seven 'sexiest' places explored

On Valentine's Day, The Local invites you on a journey of seduction through Sweden, a country which may be worth probing further when it comes to matters of love. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Valentine's Day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories

Valentine's Day in Sweden - readers' sweet tweets and love stories

With Valentine's day upon us again, The Local called for messages from the star-crossed lovers of Sweden, who sent us their loving letters and sweet tweets in a celebration of love in Sweden. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'

Swedish tourist halted for having 'terrorist name'

A Swedish man set to take off on his "dream holiday" to Mexico was turned away before boarding, as flight officials claimed he shared the name of a wanted terrorist. READ (23 COMMENTS) »

Swedish man suspected of 'kidnapping himself'

A 29-year-old man in northern Sweden has been remanded into custody together with an accomplice after trying to extort money from his parents by pretending he had been kidnapped. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government

Sweden at ’real risk’ of terror: government

The Swedish Government has penned a new terror strategy, upgrading Sweden’s risk status since the last plan four years ago, calling for an ‘inter-agency cooperation’ in the fight to counter terror in Sweden. READ (13 COMMENTS) »

More National

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island

12 February 21:30

The consciousness of one »

"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »

Highlights
afhunta (File)
DATING »
A Valentine's Day look at how how sex, booze and mobile phones can unravel that tantalizing mystery known as the strong, silent Nordic type
The Local
SOCIETY »
The Local's Oliver Gee finds out why the star of Sweden's version of 'The Office' thinks Sweden is the most PC country in the world
Micheal Brauer/Flickr (File)
SCIENCE & TECH »
'Drunkorexia' on the rise in Sweden: report
Alexander Lervik and Johan Carper
LIFESTYLE »
Seven Swedish designs that will blow your mind
Eva Rinadi Celebrity and Live Music Photography/Flickr
SOCIETY »
Star Wars in Swedish causes fan outrage
www.dotoday.se
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
OLIKA Publishing
OPINION »
The Swedish language needs a new pronoun free of preconceived notions about gender, a Swedish linguist and representatives from a publishing house argue
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
SOCIETY »
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
TV4
GALLERY »
An inside look at 'The Office' in Swedish
Georgios M.W (File)
SOCIETY »
Swedish mother gave 3-year-old cigs and beer
Photo: Fredrik Persson/Scanpix
SOCIETY »
A duvet cover designed to look like cardboard boxes, on sale at a luxury department store in Stockholm, has some arguing that the city's homeless are being exploited for profit.
Ann Catrin Brockman/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
Five Swedish songs that never made Eurovision
Q&A with Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley
LIFESTYLE »
Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley explains how ‘three bespectacled English guys’ plan to make Swedes laugh
Photo: Screenshot YouTube
SOCIETY »
Move over Bugs – a Swedish bunny is rapidly becoming the most popular rabbit in the world!
Photo: Sony Pictures
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Millennium films tap deep into Swedish angst
Photo: Helena Wahlman
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Braving the cold: Ten reasons to spend winter in Sweden
Photo: ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

fin

adjective

Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Jobs in Sweden, in English

521 jobs available
209 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE