Netflix subscribers and fans of foreign language projects may have already taken note of the recently released series The Helicopter Heist. The show, which premiered on the streamer on Nov. 22, depicts one of Sweden’s most financially lucrative robberies of all time, and the first in the nation’s history to involve a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter. Though the trailer touts the series as a true story, many fans have been curious about the actual events which inspired The Helicopter Heist, with some questioning if the actual tale is as chaotic as it is displayed in the Netflix original. Luckily, we’ve got you covered, with a comprehensive guide to the series, as well as the actual Västberga helicopter robbery which took place in 2009.
To be more specific, The Helicopter Heist actually serves as an adaptation of a Jonas Bonnier book of the same name which was published in 2017. This distinction is sort of meaningless, however, as the book simply tells the comprehensive true story of the Västberga heist, with historical perspectives of each key player involved. Though international viewers may be shocked by the story, those who were in and around Stockholm, Sweden during 2009 are intimately acquainted with the heist, as it has gone down in history as one of the biggest criminal plots in the city’s history. So, let’s dive into the specifics, and see what we can learn about the helicopter-thieving best friends who flew too close to the Sun.
What Was the Västberga Helicopter Robbery?
As displayed within the narrative of The Helicopter Heist, the Västberga helicopter robbery was a real life event which took place on Sept. 23, 2009 in Stockholm. The gang of criminals who mounted the endeavor included one Serbian national and an array of international associates, who began the heist by boosting a Bell 206 helicopter from a base just outside of Sweden’s capital city. From there, they flew to a G4S cash service depot in Stockholm, and landed on the rooftop before operating hours. Using a sledgehammer and some well-placed explosives, the criminals quickly broke through reinforced glass and security doors, before making off with a still unknown sum expected to account for millions in losses to the bank.
Local police arrived on the scene just ten minutes after the chopper touched down, though they were rendered unable to intervene, as the robbers used submachine guns and wired explosive devices all around the perimeter of the bank. All the police could do was stand back in awe as the gang retreated into the stolen Bell 206 with their newfound wealth and escaped off into the sunset. From there, the gang flew to a beach just a short distance away, ditched the helicopter in the woods, and made a clean getaway. It sounds like something you might see dramatized in a Fast & Furious movie, as the gang were incredibly well coordinated.
The Aftermath of the Heist
After the helicopter heist, Swedish authorities quickly began identifying possible suspects. A reward of seven million Swedish Krona (over $600,000 USD) was offered to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the men involved. The international community quickly mobilized in support of Sweden, as figures such as the Serbian Interior Minister began handing over documentation suggesting foreign nationals may have had a hand in the robbery. Just days after the heist took place, federal law enforcers began making arrests, resulting in seven men facing prison time. Despite the swift action of the police, it is suspected that as many as ten other men may have been involved and never named during the trials.
Once the dust settled on the arrests, three of the accused were cleared of all charges and allowed to walk free. The other four were sentenced to various prison stays ranging from one to eight years. This means that each and every individual arrested for the helicopter heist is walking free today. Due to Sweden’s stringent privacy laws, we don’t have all the information about the men and their whereabouts, though the heist is considered to be a massive success given the circumstances.
How Accurate Is ‘The Helicopter Heist’?
While The Helicopter Heist certainly nails the bullet points and over-arching story of the true robbery, the show obviously takes a number of creative liberties in order to provide important characterization to its ensemble cast. In the show, the main character is a reformed criminal who has left the life of petty theft and robberies behind to go legit, and is entranced to return to the criminal underworld for one last score. The series also confirms that the group stole a total of $5 million USD, which is an unlikely figure, though not technically impossible given the cash-carrying standards of the G4S bank. To see how close the 8-episode series gets to the true tale, you’ll have to tune into Netflix and stream the show today.
