Thieves escape by motorboat after royal jewels heist in Sweden
Two crowns and an orb dating back to 17th century stolen from Strängnäs Cathedral
Haroon Siddique and Kate Lyons
Wed 1 Aug 2018 08.19 EDT
21.36 EDT
[ATTACH=full]186504[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=full]186501[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=full]186502[/ATTACH]
729
[ATTACH=full]186503[/ATTACH]
Police in Sweden are hunting for jewel thieves who stole two priceless royal crowns and an orb from a cathedral before making their escape in a motorboat.
The audacious heist at the historic, hilltop Strängnäs Cathedral took place at about midday on Tuesday. The cathedral was open to visitors at the time and a lunch fair was being held in a side chapel.
The crowns and orb were used by the 17th-century King Karl IX and Queen Kristina. They are made of gold and enamel and encrusted with beads, crystals and pearls.
[ATTACH=full]186505[/ATTACH]
Crown jewels from the Swedish royal family’s collection. Photograph: Reuters
They were stolen from a locked and alarmed display cabinet in the Gothic-style cathedral, which lies 60 miles west of the capital, Stockholm. There has been no confirmation from police, but the assumption is that the thieves could have got to the items only by smashing the glass, which would have triggered the alarm.
Tom Rowell, who is getting married in the cathedral next week, told Aftonbladet he saw two men run from the building, jump into a small white motorboat and speed away.
“We contacted the police and told them and they told us that something had been taken from the cathedral,” he said. “I knew immediately they were burglars because of the way they were behaving. It’s despicable that people would steal from a holy building and a historical building.”
There were no threats by the thieves or any acts of violence and no one was injured, Aftonbladet reported.
The motorboat was waiting at the foot of the hill on Lake Mälaren, police said.
It is believed the thieves fled via the vast system of lakes west of Stockholm. Police mobilised a huge search operation with a helicopter and boats to try to find the men and recover the items, but they have so far been unsuccessful.
The thieves, who have not been identified, and the jewels are being sought internationally via Interpol. A Swedish police spokesman, Stefan Dangardt, said the objects were national treasures and would probably be very difficult to sell.
Reminds me of the Nairobi Mayoral chain. Pia ile Golden Jogoo ya Mzee Moi, which was said to be stollen by one of his sons, the damn thing was worth at ksh2 billion.
Nyapdragon ananukisha kitunguu majuu
Adonbilivit
I think there’s an underworld market for these things. Some people must have so much money they don’t mind having the Mona Lisa hanging in their bedroom in a private island
:D:DHii ya Moi si ni inside job? Mali ibaki kwa familia
True. Why plan and execute a heist without having a ready buyer. Is it worth the risk? I dont think so. Underground mafia people like Raymond Reddington would buy them just for the lulz.
I respect people who steals from the rich,big companies,govt just don’t take millions tena ukajifiche Juja:D
inside job…then have the insurance company pay -up…
:D:D:D ama kwa keja ya granny huko reserve
Reminds me of that movie called John English
Could be pink panther gang…
Hao vijana walikuwa wame-watch movies mingi sana.
Walisema ni Man Philip.
Una udaku kama wanawake wako saloon.
Peya yeye leso. Upuss.
Mimi naweza shuku Philip. He seems to be crafty.
Vipi kizee, hiyo jogoo was made of pure gold.