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Police detain five over failed Salo heist

The National Bureau of Investigation has detained five people over the attempted robbery of a security van in Salo on 25 February. A gang attempted to steal a high-value cargo from a security van on the highway between Helsinki and Turku, but had to leave without the loot.

Valkoinen pakettiauto.
A security van was stopped in late February when a gang tried to steal the high-value cargo it was carrying. Image: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva

Police on Tuesday apprehended five men on suspicion of attempting to rob a van carrying a high-value cargo on the road between Helsinki and Turku. The gang used several vehicles in the heist, ramming the van before stopping it and shooting through the windscreen. The van's driver escaped unharmed.

Officers raided several premises connected to the group and are now continuing their investigations based on interviews with the suspects and material recovered during their raids.

In a statement on the national police website, police thanked the public for the plentiful tips they had received. They are still keen to hear from people who may have noticed anything unusual in the centre of the town of Kiikala, in south-west Finland.

Police refused to reveal the nationality of those arrested, and said they are still looking for others in connection with what they say was a well-planned heist.

Tip-offs can be sent to officers via email on tku.krp@poliisi.fi, or by phone on 040-3713177.