The True Story of the Helicopter Heist Explained

Created by Ronnie Sandahl, Swedish Netflix crime “The Helicopter Heist” series delves into thrilling robbery of a well-guarded cash depository in the suburbs of Stockholm. The show examines the events leading up to the heist and its aftermath, examining the story from the perspective of those involved in the intricate level. The exciting premise becomes even more complicated as the details of the case emerge through the eyes of the characters and how they planned the mission without alerting the authorities. While primarily a suspenseful narrative, the show also embraces stylistic freedom as it dives into a story full of emotion and intrigue of the highest caliber.

The real-life inspiration of Helicopter Heist

Originally titled “Helikopterrånet”, “The Helicopter Heist” is a semi-fictional portrayal of the helicopter heist in Västberga, which was turned into a novel of the same name by Jonas Bonnier. The series is written by Ronnie Sandahl and delves into the events of the actual robbery case, which went awry. authority and it became an infamous event in Swedish history. According to reports, the heist took place on September 23, 2009, when a group of thieves landed on the roof of a G4S cash services warehouse in Västberga in Stockholm, Sweden, using a Bell 206 helicopter. They stole millions of kroner and fled with the money, while the authorities were forced to stand still as the robbers used tactics such as decoy bombs to deter any pursuit by helicopters the police.

The case became a media sensation due to its highly meticulous nature, showing how the thieves planned for a variety of eventualities. The roads were covered to prevent any police cars from following them, while during the robbery they forced the law enforcement back under the threat of submachine guns at their disposal. So it was a flawless plan from many angles. It also raised eyebrows for the gang’s bold attempt to use a helicopter as a method of transport, making it the first robbery in Sweden to use such a tactic. The POLICE he eventually recovered the stolen helicopter a few miles away from Stockholm.

Although they had been on the back foot from the beginning, the authorities were able to piece together the events of the crime and arrested ten people in connection with the robbery. However, it has been suggested that this is only half of the people involved in the crime. Seven of the ten arrested were sentenced to prison in October 2010, while the other three were acquitted of all charges. The robbery was allegedly initiated by Goran Bojovic, a man suspected of having ties to the Serbian paramilitary unit, the BIA Red Berets. A month before the robbery, Serbian authorities allegedly sent a transmission to the Swedish embassy warning that a group of criminals was planning a robbery in Stockholm. The information was not acted upon diligently.

Helicopter Heist grounds its spectacular crime spree in its character-driven moments

While adapting the true story behind the Västberga robbery, creator Ronnie Sandahl wanted to peel back the layers behind the people involved in the incident and the emotions of the high-stakes story. To that end, the show employs a breakneck pace as it dives into one extraordinary event after another, layering its heist grandeur into the intimate details surrounding each character. In an interview with Netflix, Sandahl stated: “I want to tell an epic tale of heist, big dreams and even bigger risks. A feverish, character-driven heist show about friendship, adrenaline and hubris.” The edgy narrative reveals the larger-than-life aspects of the show through a more focused perspective, allowing every twist to feel personal and emotionally gripping.

Again and again, “The Helicopter Heist” stays true to its message of subjective retelling, even deviating slightly from the central plot to do so. Of course, it offers a deeper look at camaraderie, family, sisterhood, and being a father, adopting an honesty in his storytelling that is refreshing, even though much of the narrative is based on a real-life crime. These personal moments help flesh out the narrative and give more context to all of the show’s strong aspects, mainly around the heist. As the story moves forward, a real sense of urgency and suspense takes over, overtaking any moment of breath. Ultimately, these purely cinematic techniques and motifs help it feel more authentic and give a taste of what must have been at the heart of the Västberga heist.

Read more: The best Heist movies on Netflix