Sweden: Thieves flee with royal jewels in a speedboat
What's the story
Sweden Tuesday saw a daring robbery, when two thieves nicked "priceless" crown jewels from the Strängnäs Cathedral in Stockholm and fled - in a speedboat. Police think they might have fled further on jet skis. The heist happened when visitors were thronging. As stunned people looked on, the thieves grabbed women's bikes and raced towards the nearby bay, where they jumped into a speedboat. They haven't been seen since.
Jewels
Jewels are priceless, a national treasure: Officials
The stolen jewels- two crowns and a golden orb belonging to King Karl IX and Princess Kristina- date back to the 17th century, reports said. They were buried with the monarchs and haven't been worn since the 20th century. They remain in display nowadays. As far as their value is concerned, officials have refrained from quoting a number, insisting they are a "national treasure."
Theft
The Maraken lake, 75 miles wide, has hundreds of islands
Tuesday, shortly before lunchtime, two men walked into the display area, smashed the glass and took off with the jewels. Alarms went off and security protocols were followed normally, cathedral staff said. Police launched a manhunt with multiple boats and a chopper, but they haven't been sighted. Chances of an arrest are low: the Malaren lake spans 74 miles and has hundreds of small islands.
Sale
In 2012, thief had to throw away his royal loot
Officials have one hope: if the thieves sell the highly identifiable jewels, they can be nabbed, "because there are very few people who handle such items," said police spokesman Thomas Agnevik. After a similar theft in 2012, the robber had to throw away some of the loot, being unable to sell them. But if the thieves were only adding to a personal collection, police is going to have a hard time.