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02-22-2006, 04:11 PM
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Bank of England: Robbers steal $43.5 million
Amount taken in well-planned heist may be as much as $69 million
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Updated: 4:04 p.m. ET Feb. 22, 2006
LONDON - A gang of robbers impersonating police officers tied up employees at a southern England security company and stole the equivalent of $43.5 million, the Bank of England said Wednesday in disclosing one of the largest bank heists in British history.
The money, about 25 million pounds in bank notes, was stolen overnight from a cash center at Tonbridge in Kent county, a bank spokesman said on condition of anonymity, in accordance with bank policy.
No one was injured in the robbery.
Story continues below ↓
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Citing government sources, The Times of London reported that the Bank of England fears the total amount stolen could be up to $69.7 million, or 40 million pounds. That would dwarf the $45.3 million stolen from the Northern Bank in Belfast last December. The IRA is suspected in that robbery.
The heist at Securitas Cash Management Ltd. began when some of the thieves, dressed as police officers, stopped the firms manager as he drove home. The manager got into their car, which he believed to be a police vehicle, and was handcuffed by the robbers, authorities said.
Ruse of an accident
At the same time, another team of thieves went to the managers house, saying he had been in an accident. The men persuaded his wife and young son to leave the home and go with them.
The first team, with the manager in the car, met up with a white van and another group of thieves. The manager was placed in the van, which then headed toward the Tonbridge depot, police said.
The manager allegedly was told to cooperate or his family would be hurt.
Some of the robbers then changed clothes, donned balaclavas to cover their faces and brandished handguns before entering the security company and tying up 15 staff members on duty, police said. The thieves were inside the building for more than an hour.
Detective Superintendent Paul Gladstone said he believed the robbery was planned down to the last detail.
Major bank heists around the world
1. $900 million in U.S. bills and as much as $100 million worth of euros Iraq Central Bank, Iraq, March 2003. The thefts took place at the beginning of the U.S. invasion and were blamed on Saddam Husseins family.
2. $70 million Central Bank in Fortaleza, Brazil. Theft occurred during weekend of Aug. 6-8, 2005.
3. $65 million Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Center, London, July 12, 1987.
4. $50 million Northern Bank, Belfast, Ireland; Dec. 20, 2004. Widely blamed on the Irish Republican Army.
5. $43.5 million Securitas company cash center at Tonbridge in Kent county, England. The Bank of England said on Feb. 22, 2006, that the robbery occurred overnight.
6. $37.5 million in gold Brinks Mat Ltd., Heathrow Airport, London, Nov. 25, 1983.
Thats alot of money
Bank of England: Robbers steal $43.5 million
Amount taken in well-planned heist may be as much as $69 million
Most Popular
Most Viewed Top Rated Most E-mailed
Meat workers share $365 million jackpot
Bush unaware of port deal until after approval
Three young women rescue American pride
Total bummer: Rare Ferrari destroyed in crash
Youth trumps experience for Idol women
Most viewed on MSNBC.com
Firefighter who spoke after lengthy coma dies
Democrats see a national security opening
Suit filed to block port takeover by Arab firm
Report: U.S. removing access to documents
GOP governors join port control debate
Most viewed on MSNBC.com
Total bummer: Rare Ferrari destroyed in crash
Meat workers share $365 million jackpot
Bush unaware of port deal until after approval
Dog waste not, want not
Explorers discover huge cave in Venezuela
Most viewed on MSNBC.com
RSS FEEDS ON MSNBC.COM
Add these headlines to your news reader
Europe News
Learn more about RSS
Updated: 4:04 p.m. ET Feb. 22, 2006
LONDON - A gang of robbers impersonating police officers tied up employees at a southern England security company and stole the equivalent of $43.5 million, the Bank of England said Wednesday in disclosing one of the largest bank heists in British history.
The money, about 25 million pounds in bank notes, was stolen overnight from a cash center at Tonbridge in Kent county, a bank spokesman said on condition of anonymity, in accordance with bank policy.
No one was injured in the robbery.
Story continues below ↓
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Citing government sources, The Times of London reported that the Bank of England fears the total amount stolen could be up to $69.7 million, or 40 million pounds. That would dwarf the $45.3 million stolen from the Northern Bank in Belfast last December. The IRA is suspected in that robbery.
The heist at Securitas Cash Management Ltd. began when some of the thieves, dressed as police officers, stopped the firms manager as he drove home. The manager got into their car, which he believed to be a police vehicle, and was handcuffed by the robbers, authorities said.
Ruse of an accident
At the same time, another team of thieves went to the managers house, saying he had been in an accident. The men persuaded his wife and young son to leave the home and go with them.
The first team, with the manager in the car, met up with a white van and another group of thieves. The manager was placed in the van, which then headed toward the Tonbridge depot, police said.
The manager allegedly was told to cooperate or his family would be hurt.
Some of the robbers then changed clothes, donned balaclavas to cover their faces and brandished handguns before entering the security company and tying up 15 staff members on duty, police said. The thieves were inside the building for more than an hour.
Detective Superintendent Paul Gladstone said he believed the robbery was planned down to the last detail.
Major bank heists around the world
1. $900 million in U.S. bills and as much as $100 million worth of euros Iraq Central Bank, Iraq, March 2003. The thefts took place at the beginning of the U.S. invasion and were blamed on Saddam Husseins family.
2. $70 million Central Bank in Fortaleza, Brazil. Theft occurred during weekend of Aug. 6-8, 2005.
3. $65 million Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Center, London, July 12, 1987.
4. $50 million Northern Bank, Belfast, Ireland; Dec. 20, 2004. Widely blamed on the Irish Republican Army.
5. $43.5 million Securitas company cash center at Tonbridge in Kent county, England. The Bank of England said on Feb. 22, 2006, that the robbery occurred overnight.
6. $37.5 million in gold Brinks Mat Ltd., Heathrow Airport, London, Nov. 25, 1983.
Thats alot of money