MOSCOW, September 23 (RIA Novosti) - Thieves used a helicopter to rob a security company's cash depot in Stockholm on early Wednesday morning, a Swedish news web site reported.
The Local English-language site reported that the chief of police for the southern district in Stockholm, Ulrika Lonngren, said she heard several explosions and a helicopter hovering above the building at 5:19 am local time [GMT 03:19].
"The helicopter landed on the roof. Then they entered the building by breaking some windows. Next, several explosions were heard from within the building, and then they were seen loading things into the helicopter and lifting off," The Local quoted Lonngren as telling TT news agency.
According to an officer at the scene, the robbers used sledgehammers or something similar to break through the roof after the helicopter landed. Other reports said they entered the building through a window.
Police investigations at the scene show the heist was well-planned as caltraps (spikes spread across the road to burst car tires) were placed around the building earlier to slow down police efforts. Police were not able to use their helicopters to respond to the incident because of a bomb scare. A bag marked "bomb" was left near the hangar, forcing officers to inspect the helicopters before taking off.
Police spokesman Bjorn Engstrom said the entire operation lasted about 20 minutes. It was not immediately clear if anything was taken, although eyewitnesses said they saw objects being carried to the helicopter.
According the depot's manager, Roy Gierde, the robbers were most likely caught on camera because there are "cameras everywhere."
Around 20 employees who were in the building at the time of the heist are being questioned by police.
Police say a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter was used in the robbery and was stolen overnight from a helicopter hangar near Norrtalje north of Stockholm.
Later Wednesday morning the helicopter was found near Arninge about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the capital.
