International theft gangs steal luxury cars in Stockholm – millions in damage
Four luxury cars were stolen last week in northern Stockholm. Police warn of continued thefts of SUV models from Land Rover and Mercedes.
Luxury car thefts in Stockholm – police warn of international gangs
Google News SE — Crime (sv) reports that police received several reports last week of stolen luxury cars in Stockholm and in the East police region. Four exclusive vehicles disappeared in northern Stockholm during the week, and similar thefts have previously been reported in the adjacent region – vehicles of the same type, stolen using a comparable method.
The vehicles in question are SUV models from Land Rover and Mercedes. The nature of the crimes and their frequent occurrence point to international theft gangs being behind them, according to police.
These gangs operate systematically: they commit a number of crimes in one location before moving on to the next area. The risk is now assessed as significant that the activity will continue in the Stockholm region.
The method is sometimes referred to as organised travel-based crime – the perpetrators travel to Sweden from other countries with the explicit purpose of stealing valuable items, before then leaving the country and selling the stolen goods abroad. What is stolen can be cars, boat engines or valuable vehicle parts. In the current case, it involves exclusively luxury cars to a combined value of several million kronor.
The investigation has also shown that the thieves managed to steal the cars without access to keys.
"In light of the thefts that have occurred, we want to urge members of the public to be alert if you see or hear anything that seems suspicious. This applies particularly if you are the owner of an SUV from Mercedes or Land Rover, but also other expensive car models," says Emma Frodelius, section chief for Mobile Border Control at the Border Police Unit in Stockholm.
Anyone who suspects an ongoing crime is urged to call 112. For non-urgent tips, the public can call 114 14 or contact police via its website.
Emma Frodelius can be reached via the Stockholm police region's press office on telephone 010-56 405 55 or via email: [email protected].
Source: Google News SE — Crime (sv)