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Swedish Police Believe They’ve Found Stolen Crown Jewels
A security guard reportedly spotted them on top of a garbage can in a Stockholm suburb.
The two crowns and the orb (center) were the jewels snatched during the smash-and-grab robbery that took place last summer at Sweden’s Strängnäs Cathedral. Police issued a statement Tuesday saying that the “stolen regalia has been found.” (Image courtesy of Swedish police)
Åkersberga, Sweden—Police in Sweden believe they have recovered the 17th century royal jewels snatched from a cathedral in broad daylight last summer after a security guard reportedly spotted them on top of a garbage can in a Stockholm suburb.
In a translated version of the statement issued Tuesday, Swedish police said: “All indications are that Karl IX’s stolen funeral [jewels] have been found in the Stockholm area, but the police are working intensively to have it confirmed 100 percent.”
The police said the investigation, which has centered on a Stockholm-based gang, is ongoing as they search for additional perpetrators. One man is already on trial in connection with the jewelry theft.
No further information was available as of Thursday morning.
The movie-like heist happened in broad daylight on July 31 at the Strängnäs Cathedral, about an hour west of Stockholm.
About 20 tourists and employees were in the cathedral when the suspects rushed in, smashed the glass display cases and snatched the 17th century crowns and orb before escaping in an open motorboat through the network of lakes that surround Strängnäs.
At the time of the heist, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported that blood found at the scene of the smash-and-grab jewelry theft had been tied to an individual who lives in Åkersberga, the same suburb where the jewels were found.
Valued at 65 million Swedish krona (about $7 million), the stolen crowns and orb were part of the funeral regalia of Karl IX (Charles IX) and Kristina (Christina), who ruled as king and queen consort of Sweden from 1604 until Karl’s death in 1611. (Kristina lived until 1625.)
Crafted in gold and set with what appear to be diamonds and pearls, the items were buried with the monarchs—Karl IX and his family were interred at Strängnäs Cathedral—but later exhumed to be put on display at the popular landmark.
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