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{{Coord|59.29802|18.01300|display=title|type:event_scale:1000}}
{{Coord|59.29802|18.01300|display=title|type:event_scale:1000}}
[[File:G4S Västberga 2009b.jpg|thumb|G4S Västberga]]
[[File:G4S Västberga 2009b.jpg|thumb|G4S Västberga]]
[[File:Bell 206 Jet Ranger SE-HON.jpg|thumb|The helicopter that was used in the robbery.]]
[[File:Bell 206 Jet Ranger SE-HON.jpg|thumb|The helicopter that was used in the robbery]]
[[Image:Polishelikopter.jpg|thumb|Swedish police helicopters of type [[Eurocopter EC 135|EC 135]].]]
[[Image:Polishelikopter.jpg|thumb|Swedish police helicopters of type [[Eurocopter EC135|EC135]]]]


The '''Västberga helicopter robbery''' occurred on 23 September 2009 at 05:15 CET when a [[G4S]] cash service depot was robbed in [[Västberga]] in southern [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Carina |last=Stensson |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3562849.svd |title=Helikopterrånet – detta har hänt |trans-title=Helicopter robbery - this has happened |language=sv |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=2012-08-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928170324/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3562849.svd |archivedate=September 28, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8270619.stm | publisher=[[BBC News]] | title=Helicopter used in Sweden robbery | date=2009-09-23 | accessdate=2010-05-27}}</ref> The robbers used a stolen [[Bell 206]] Jet Ranger as transport and landed on the rooftop of the G4S building.<ref>{{cite news|first=Malin |last=Ekman |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3563009.svd |title=Utländska medier: ”Helikopterkupp chockar Sverige” |trans-title=Foreign media: "Helicopter heist shocks Sweden" |language=sv |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=2012-08-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927154024/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3563009.svd |archivedate=September 27, 2009 }}</ref> The police were unable to use their own helicopters to pursue the robbers since decoy bombs had been placed close to them.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/23/stockholm.helicopter.heist/index.html | publisher=[[CNN]] | title=Thieves use helicopter, explosives in daring cash depot raid |first=Per |last=Nyberg | accessdate=2010-05-27 | date=2009-09-23}}</ref> A 7 million SEK reward was announced the following day for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the robbers and/or the return of the stolen goods.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/25/sweden.helicopter.robbery/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |first=Per |last=Nyberg | title=$1M reward offered for Swedish cash depot heist | accessdate=2010-05-27 | date=2009-09-25}}</ref> This was the first robbery involving a helicopter in Swedish history.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dn.se/sthlm/ranet-i-vastberga/|title=Rånet i Västberga |trans-title=Västberga robbery |newspaper=[[Dagens Nyheter]] |author=DN |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=21 July 2015 |language=Swedish}}</ref>
The '''Västberga helicopter robbery''' occurred on 23 September 2009 at 05:15 CET when a [[G4S]] cash service depot was robbed in [[Västberga]] in southern [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Carina |last=Stensson |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3562849.svd |title=Helikopterrånet – detta har hänt |trans-title=Helicopter robbery - this has happened |language=sv |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=2012-08-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928170324/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3562849.svd |archivedate=September 28, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8270619.stm | publisher=[[BBC News]] | title=Helicopter used in Sweden robbery | date=2009-09-23 | accessdate=2010-05-27}}</ref> The robbers used a stolen [[Bell 206]] Jet Ranger as transport and landed on the rooftop of the G4S building.<ref>{{cite news|first=Malin |last=Ekman |url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3563009.svd |title=Utländska medier: ”Helikopterkupp chockar Sverige” |trans-title=Foreign media: "Helicopter heist shocks Sweden" |language=sv |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=2012-08-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927154024/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/artikel_3563009.svd |archivedate=September 27, 2009 }}</ref> The police were unable to use their own helicopters to pursue the robbers since decoy bombs had been placed close to them.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/23/stockholm.helicopter.heist/index.html | publisher=[[CNN]] | title=Thieves use helicopter, explosives in daring cash depot raid |first=Per |last=Nyberg | accessdate=2010-05-27 | date=2009-09-23}}</ref> A 7-million-[[Swedish krona|Swedish-krona]] reward was announced the following day for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the robbers and/or the return of the stolen goods.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/25/sweden.helicopter.robbery/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |first=Per |last=Nyberg | title=$1M reward offered for Swedish cash depot heist | accessdate=2010-05-27 | date=2009-09-25}}</ref> This was the first robbery involving a helicopter in Swedish history.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dn.se/sthlm/ranet-i-vastberga/|title=Rånet i Västberga |trans-title=Västberga robbery |newspaper=[[Dagens Nyheter]] |author=DN |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=21 July 2015 |language=Swedish}}</ref>


==Events of September 23==
==Events of September 23==
*A Bell 206 helicopter is stolen from Roslagens helicopter base in [[Norrtälje]].
*A Bell 206 helicopter is stolen from Roslagens helicopter base in [[Norrtälje]].
*The helicopter arrives at 5:15 (CEST) at the G4S Cash service building. Three to four people land on the rooftop and break the reinforced glass window with a sledgehammer. Small bombs go off inside the building, likely to blow security doors open. No people are physically harmed. Bags of money are thereafter loaded into the helicopter. The sum is unknown.
*The helicopter arrives at 5:15 (CEST) at the G4S cash service building. Three to four people land on the rooftop and break the reinforced glass window with a [[sledgehammer]]. Small bombs go off inside the building, likely to blow security doors open. No people are physically harmed. Bags of money are thereafter loaded into the helicopter. The sum is unknown.
*The Swedish police arrive at 05:25 (CEST) but do not intervene, due to reports of the use of [[submachine gun]]s.
*The Swedish police arrive at 05:25 (CEST) but do not intervene, due to reports of the use of [[submachine gun]]s.
*The helicopter takes off from the rooftop at 5:35 (CEST) with all the robbers and the money on board.
*The helicopter takes off from the rooftop at 05:35 (CEST) with all the robbers and the money on board.
*Prior to the robbery, [[caltrops]] had been placed on the roads around the cash service building to prevent police cars from gaining access and decoy bombs were placed on the police helicopter base at [[Myttinge]] on the island of [[Värmdö (island)|Värmdö]].
*Prior to the robbery, [[caltrop]]s had been placed on the roads around the cash service building to prevent police cars from gaining access and decoy bombs were placed on the police helicopter base at [[Myttinge]] on the island of [[Värmdö (island)|Värmdö]].
*The helicopter landed at [[Kanaanbadet]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sa-skulle-helikopterranarna-lura-polisen/|title=Så skulle helikopterrånarna lura polisen |trans-title=How the helicopter robbers would deceive the police |newspaper=[[Expressen]] |first1=Anders |last1=Fallenius |first2=Magnus |last2=Hellberg |date=29 September 2009 |accessdate=21 July 2015 |language=Swedish}}</ref>
*The helicopter landed at [[Kanaanbadet]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sa-skulle-helikopterranarna-lura-polisen/|title=Så skulle helikopterrånarna lura polisen |trans-title=How the helicopter robbers would deceive the police |newspaper=[[Expressen]] |first1=Anders |last1=Fallenius |first2=Magnus |last2=Hellberg |date=29 September 2009 |accessdate=21 July 2015 |language=Swedish}}</ref>
*The helicopter the robbers used is found at 08:15 (CEST) in the woods just outside a field at [[Skavlöten]] in [[Arninge]], thirty kilometers north of [[Stockholm]].
*The helicopter the robbers used is found at 08:15 (CEST) in the woods just outside a field at [[Skavlöten]] in [[Arninge]], thirty kilometers north of [[Stockholm]].
*Two [[JAS 39 Gripen]] were conducting a drill over the [[Baltic Sea]] and the [[Swedish Air Force]] offered assistance. It was turned down since the robbery was a civilian matter and not a military one.
*Two [[Saab JAS 39 Gripen|JAS 39 Gripen]] were conducting a [[Military parade|drill]] over the [[Baltic Sea]] and the [[Swedish Air Force]] offered assistance. It was turned down since the robbery was a civilian matter and not a military one.


== Subsequent events ==
== Subsequent events ==
*Swedish police arrest six male suspects in connection with the robbery. They are listed as being aged 21 to 36, but otherwise unidentified in accordance with [[Swedish privacy law]].<ref name=seattletimes>{{cite news|author=Associated Press|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/officials-serbs-took-part-in-sweden-chopper-heist/|title=Officials: Serbs took part in Sweden chopper heist|publisher=Seattle Times|date=2009-09-28}}</ref>
*Swedish police arrest six male suspects in connection with the robbery. They are listed as being aged 21 to 36, but otherwise unidentified in accordance with [[Swedish privacy law]].<ref name=seattletimes>{{cite news|author=Associated Press|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/officials-serbs-took-part-in-sweden-chopper-heist/|title=Officials: Serbs took part in Sweden chopper heist|publisher=Seattle Times|date=2009-09-28}}</ref>
*[[Serbia]]n Interior Minister [[Ivica Dačić]] claims that former members of the [[Security Information Agency|BIA]] [[Special Operations Unit (Serbia)|Red Berets]] took part in the robbery. One month prior to the robbery, the [[Embassy of Sweden, Belgrade|Swedish Embassy]] was allegedly given "certain information about a criminal group which was preparing a robbery" by Serbian police.<ref name=seattletimes/>
*[[Serbia]]n Interior Minister [[Ivica Dačić]] claims that former members of the [[Security Information Agency|BIA]] [[Special Operations Unit (Serbia)|Red Berets]] took part in the robbery. One month prior to the robbery, the Swedish embassy was allegedly given "certain information about a criminal group which was preparing a robbery" by Serbian police.<ref name=seattletimes/>


==Arrests==
==Arrests==
Swedish police quickly identified and arrested the suspects. 2 days after the robbery, Saha Kadhum flew to Dominican Republic where he was arrested by local law enforcement on Swedish government's request. Swedish police immediately chartered a private plane to bring him back to Sweden. Alexander Eriksson also had a flight, but to Canary Islands. He was met at the airport by [[National Task Force|special operations unit of the Swedish police]]. Goran Bojovic was stopped in his car, just outside [[Café Opera]]. Police found incriminating evidence in the car, e.g. receipts for anonymous pre-paid phones used during the robbery. <ref>{{cite AV media |people= |date= |title=Helikopterrånet |trans-title= |medium= |language=Swedish |url= |access-date=2017-10-15|archive-url= |archive-date= |format=avi |time= |location=svt.se |publisher=Sveriges Television |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |ref= }}</ref>
Swedish police quickly identified and arrested the suspects. Two days after the robbery, Saha Kadhum flew to Dominican Republic where he was arrested by local law enforcement on Swedish government's request. Swedish police immediately chartered a private plane to bring him back to Sweden. Alexander Eriksson also had a flight, but to Canary Islands. He was met at the airport by [[National Task Force|special operations unit of the Swedish police]]. Goran Bojovic was stopped in his car, just outside [[Café Opera]]. Police found incriminating evidence in the car, e.g. receipts for anonymous pre-paid phones used during the robbery. <ref>{{cite AV media |people= |date= |title=Helikopterrånet |trans-title= |medium= |language=Swedish |url= |access-date=2017-10-15|archive-url= |archive-date= |format=avi |time= |location=svt.se |publisher=Sveriges Television |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |ref= }}</ref>


==Sentences==
==Sentences==
7 men were sentenced to prison terms in October 2010 for their participation in the robbery.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thelocal.se/29474/20101007/ |title=Guilty verdicts for helicopter heist suspects |newspaper=[[The Local]] |date= |accessdate=2012-08-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704183217/http://www.thelocal.se/29474/20101007 |archivedate=July 4, 2012 }}</ref> 3 men were cleared of all charges and police suspect that another 10 may have been involved, but their identities are unknown.<ref>https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/kolumnister/oisincantwell/article12589385.ab</ref>
Seven men were sentenced to prison terms in October 2010 for their participation in the robbery.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thelocal.se/29474/20101007/ |title=Guilty verdicts for helicopter heist suspects |newspaper=[[The Local]] |date= |accessdate=2012-08-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704183217/http://www.thelocal.se/29474/20101007 |archivedate=July 4, 2012 }}</ref> Three men were cleared of all charges and police suspect that another 10 may have been involved, but their identities are unknown.<ref>https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/kolumnister/oisincantwell/article12589385.ab</ref>
*Helicopter pilot Alexander Eriksson: 7 years imprisonment
*Helicopter pilot Alexander Eriksson: 7 years' imprisonment
*Robber Saha Kadhum: 7 years imprisonment
*Robber Saha Kadhum: 7 years' imprisonment
*Organizer Charbel Charro: 5 years imprisonment
*Organizer Charbel Charro: 5 years' imprisonment
*Organizer Mikael Södergran: 5 years imprisonment
*Organizer Mikael Södergran: 5 years' imprisonment
*Organizer Goran Bojovic: 3 years imprisonment
*Organizer Goran Bojovic: 3 years' imprisonment
*Falsified alibi provider Marcus Axelsson: 2 years imprisonment
*Falsified alibi provider Marcus Axelsson: 2 years' imprisonment
*Falsified alibi provider Tomas Broman: 1 year imprisonment<ref>https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/de-domdes-for-helikopterranet/</ref>
*Falsified alibi provider Tomas Broman: 1 year's imprisonment<ref>https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/de-domdes-for-helikopterranet/</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
Swedish public television broadcaster [[Sveriges Television]] released a 6 part Swedish language documentary film called "Helikopterrånet".<ref>https://www.svt.se/helikopterranet/</ref> Netflix is currently planning to release a movie based on the robbery with actor [[Jake Gyllenhaal]] as the star actor.<ref>https://www.svt.se/kultur/film/netflix-gor-film-om-svenska-helikopterranet</ref>
Swedish public television broadcaster [[Sveriges Television]] released a six-part Swedish-language documentary film called ''Helikopterrånet''.<ref>https://www.svt.se/helikopterranet/</ref> Netflix is currently planning to release a movie based on the robbery with actor [[Jake Gyllenhaal]] as the star actor.<ref>https://www.svt.se/kultur/film/netflix-gor-film-om-svenska-helikopterranet</ref>


After having interviewed 4 of the jailed perpetraitors, swedish born author [[Jonas Bonnier]] published a semifictional novel called "Helikopterrånet".
After having interviewed 4 of the jailed perpetrators, Swedish-born author [[Jonas Bonnier]] published a semi-fictional novel called ''Helikopterrånet''.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 03:04, 6 November 2018

59°17′53″N 18°00′47″E / 59.29802°N 18.01300°E / 59.29802; 18.01300

G4S Västberga
The helicopter that was used in the robbery
Swedish police helicopters of type EC135

The Västberga helicopter robbery occurred on 23 September 2009 at 05:15 CET when a G4S cash service depot was robbed in Västberga in southern Stockholm, Sweden.[1][2] The robbers used a stolen Bell 206 Jet Ranger as transport and landed on the rooftop of the G4S building.[3] The police were unable to use their own helicopters to pursue the robbers since decoy bombs had been placed close to them.[4] A 7-million-Swedish-krona reward was announced the following day for anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the robbers and/or the return of the stolen goods.[5] This was the first robbery involving a helicopter in Swedish history.[6]

Events of September 23

  • A Bell 206 helicopter is stolen from Roslagens helicopter base in Norrtälje.
  • The helicopter arrives at 5:15 (CEST) at the G4S cash service building. Three to four people land on the rooftop and break the reinforced glass window with a sledgehammer. Small bombs go off inside the building, likely to blow security doors open. No people are physically harmed. Bags of money are thereafter loaded into the helicopter. The sum is unknown.
  • The Swedish police arrive at 05:25 (CEST) but do not intervene, due to reports of the use of submachine guns.
  • The helicopter takes off from the rooftop at 05:35 (CEST) with all the robbers and the money on board.
  • Prior to the robbery, caltrops had been placed on the roads around the cash service building to prevent police cars from gaining access and decoy bombs were placed on the police helicopter base at Myttinge on the island of Värmdö.
  • The helicopter landed at Kanaanbadet.[7]
  • The helicopter the robbers used is found at 08:15 (CEST) in the woods just outside a field at Skavlöten in Arninge, thirty kilometers north of Stockholm.
  • Two JAS 39 Gripen were conducting a drill over the Baltic Sea and the Swedish Air Force offered assistance. It was turned down since the robbery was a civilian matter and not a military one.

Subsequent events

  • Swedish police arrest six male suspects in connection with the robbery. They are listed as being aged 21 to 36, but otherwise unidentified in accordance with Swedish privacy law.[8]
  • Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić claims that former members of the BIA Red Berets took part in the robbery. One month prior to the robbery, the Swedish embassy was allegedly given "certain information about a criminal group which was preparing a robbery" by Serbian police.[8]

Arrests

Swedish police quickly identified and arrested the suspects. Two days after the robbery, Saha Kadhum flew to Dominican Republic where he was arrested by local law enforcement on Swedish government's request. Swedish police immediately chartered a private plane to bring him back to Sweden. Alexander Eriksson also had a flight, but to Canary Islands. He was met at the airport by special operations unit of the Swedish police. Goran Bojovic was stopped in his car, just outside Café Opera. Police found incriminating evidence in the car, e.g. receipts for anonymous pre-paid phones used during the robbery. [9]

Sentences

Seven men were sentenced to prison terms in October 2010 for their participation in the robbery.[10] Three men were cleared of all charges and police suspect that another 10 may have been involved, but their identities are unknown.[11]

  • Helicopter pilot Alexander Eriksson: 7 years' imprisonment
  • Robber Saha Kadhum: 7 years' imprisonment
  • Organizer Charbel Charro: 5 years' imprisonment
  • Organizer Mikael Södergran: 5 years' imprisonment
  • Organizer Goran Bojovic: 3 years' imprisonment
  • Falsified alibi provider Marcus Axelsson: 2 years' imprisonment
  • Falsified alibi provider Tomas Broman: 1 year's imprisonment[12]

Swedish public television broadcaster Sveriges Television released a six-part Swedish-language documentary film called Helikopterrånet.[13] Netflix is currently planning to release a movie based on the robbery with actor Jake Gyllenhaal as the star actor.[14]

After having interviewed 4 of the jailed perpetrators, Swedish-born author Jonas Bonnier published a semi-fictional novel called Helikopterrånet.

References

  1. ^ Stensson, Carina (2009-09-23). "Helikopterrånet – detta har hänt" [Helicopter robbery - this has happened]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). Archived from the original on September 28, 2009. Retrieved 2012-08-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Helicopter used in Sweden robbery". BBC News. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  3. ^ Ekman, Malin (2009-09-23). "Utländska medier: "Helikopterkupp chockar Sverige"" [Foreign media: "Helicopter heist shocks Sweden"]. Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). Archived from the original on September 27, 2009. Retrieved 2012-08-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Nyberg, Per (2009-09-23). "Thieves use helicopter, explosives in daring cash depot raid". CNN. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  5. ^ Nyberg, Per (2009-09-25). "$1M reward offered for Swedish cash depot heist". CNN. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  6. ^ DN (2009-09-23). "Rånet i Västberga" [Västberga robbery]. Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  7. ^ Fallenius, Anders; Hellberg, Magnus (29 September 2009). "Så skulle helikopterrånarna lura polisen" [How the helicopter robbers would deceive the police]. Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  8. ^ a b Associated Press (2009-09-28). "Officials: Serbs took part in Sweden chopper heist". Seattle Times.
  9. ^ Helikopterrånet (in Swedish). svt.se: Sveriges Television. {{cite AV media}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ "Guilty verdicts for helicopter heist suspects". The Local. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-08. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/kolumnister/oisincantwell/article12589385.ab
  12. ^ https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/de-domdes-for-helikopterranet/
  13. ^ https://www.svt.se/helikopterranet/
  14. ^ https://www.svt.se/kultur/film/netflix-gor-film-om-svenska-helikopterranet