The Helicopter Heist True Story

If you enjoy watching spectacular heists unfold on screen, here’s one that will make your blood run cold. The new Swedish series from Netflix Theft by helicopter takes viewers back to 2009 to the day of the robbery that rocked the country. Let’s decode the true story of Theft by helicopter and revisit the real-life events that inspired the series.

Theft by helicopteraka Helikopterrånetlands on Netflix on November 22. The eight parts true crime series is based on true events chronicled in Jonas Bonnier’s novel of the same name. The series tries to overcome what happened on the fateful day at the country’s most secure cash depository and discover how the heist could have happened.

Before delving into the real story a Theft by helicopterHere’s everything we know about Netflix’s new true crime series.

All about Theft by helicopter series: plot, cast and other details

The eight parts miniseries tells the story of the intricate planning behind the precise execution of one of the most daring crimes in history.

On an early September morning in 2009, a helicopter landed on the roof of Sweden’s most secure cash depository. What followed was a stunning heist that left the world stunned.

The nerve required for such an enormous prey using a helicopter is a feat in itself. But what makes it even more puzzling is that while the robbers got away with several million dollars, the police just looked on and no shots were fired.

“Theft by helicopter is an emotional and character-driven tale of brotherhood and fatherhood, but perhaps most of all: a grand and swift Icarus tale of winning or losing it all,” states Netflix.

Instead of documentary-true narrative style, the trailer offers an emotional story that examines the complicated lives of those involved. How two friends made it, how they brainwashed others, what their families dealt with, their situation and the role of the government, all of it.

The series features Mahmut Suvakci, Ardalan Esmaili and Iskra Kostic in the lead roles. Daniél Espinosa leads the project as conceptual director alongside Jonas Alexander Arnby and Anna Zachrisson. It is written by Ronnie Sandahl and produced by Johannes Åhlund.

The true story of Theft by helicopter

What happened on D-day?

The theft began around 5.15am on 23 September 2009. A Bell 206 helicopter, stolen from Roslagens helicopter base in Norrtälje, landed on top of the G4S cash services building in Västberga, south of Stockholm. The robbers, dressed in all black and wearing masks, came out, smashed the glass room with sledgehammers and climbed down into the building using 20-foot ladders.

They strategically placed explosives throughout the facility to destroy security. As they took off, security and night staff hid for fear the building might collapse. This gave the robbers full access to the whole place.

They used saws to break the locks on the cash cages and jammed their bags with notes. The loot was quickly loaded onto the helicopter and about $150 million was gone. The heist was over within 20 minutes of their touching down.

The police left helplessly

Swedish police arrived while the thieves were in action, but were unable to enter the scene. Machine guns and bombs were used to keep police helicopters at bay. Roads were also strewn with caltrop spikes to puncture any approaching vehicles.

However, three hours after the air settled, the stolen helicopter was retrieved from the woods north of Stockholm. Evidence found from it, along with CCTV footage, gave the police a breakthrough in their investigation.

Investigating and piecing together events

Interestingly, a month before the event, the Swedish secret services had warned the authorities about the recruitment of a helicopter pilot for a robbery in Stockholm. However, they could not confirm the date and location.

The main author is said to have been Goran Bojovic, previously linked to the BIA Red Berets, Serbia’s secret police. Eventually, the other robbers were also caught. One of the culprits, Sadhan Kadhum cut his hand on the ladder – the DNA gave out. Pilot Alexander Eriksson was tracked to the Canary Islands, while Bojovic was hunted to his apartment with a pile of cash.

Although 10 have been arrested, it is suspected that many more continue to evade justice. Seven men were sentenced to prison in October 2010. It is believed that much of the stolen money, worth around US$8 million, remains to be found.

Clock Theft by helicopter Here

Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy of Netflix