On Easter Sunday, thieves stole approximately $30 million in “one of the largest cash heists in Los Angeles history.” Los Angeles Times report.
The robbery occurred Sunday night at a cash storage facility in Sylmar where cash from businesses in the area is handled and stored, according to Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Elaine Morales.
Morales said the perpetrators had access not only to the building but also to the safe where the cash was stored.
“According to law enforcement officials, this robbery was the largest in the city’s history in terms of cash, and the total amount exceeded all armored car robberies in the city.” report.
“According to a person familiar with the investigation, times The robbers broke into the vault of the Gardaworld building on Roxford Street by breaking through the roof. However, it is unclear how the alert system was circumvented,” the report continued, noting that the Canada-based company did not respond to a request for comment.
Business owners didn’t realize the theft until they opened for business on Monday. Local news helicopter footage showed “large gashes in the side of the building, which was covered in plywood,” the report said.
This was revealed by law enforcement officials. times There was an attempt to break into the side and roof of the building, and it was revealed that at least one alarm not affiliated with local police went off during the crime.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 Damaged walls appear to be being repaired at Gardaworld in Sylmar. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty)
Law enforcement officials also noted that only a few people likely knew how much cash was in the safe.
“The break-in was elaborate, suggesting there was an experienced crew that knew how to enter secure facilities and remain unnoticed,” the report said.
Scott Andrew Selby, co-author of Perfection: Inside the Greatest Diamond Heist in History, said the heist “bears all the marks of a really well-thought-out job” by a “professional crew”. he said. Mr. Selby speculated that the thieves likely had inside information, and that investigators wereWe are looking for similar MO crimes around the world. ”
When asked if the cash was traceable, Selby said it could be, depending on whether there was a record of the serial number or whether the cash was already in circulation. He said it would be difficult to hide or launder such amounts of cash without being seen.
“As technology advances and the world gets smaller, there are a lot of opportunities to mess up and get caught,” Selby said. “With Touch DNA, even the slightest mistake can reveal the identity of a crew member, leading authorities to ultimately identify their companions.”
This was announced by an FBI spokesperson. times On Wednesday, they announced they were investigating the incident with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Until this Easter theft, the last largest cash robbery recorded in Los Angeles was an $18.9 million robbery that occurred on September 12, 1997 at the former Dunbar Armored Facility on Mateo Street.The robbers behind the incident eventually I got caught.
