[CPProt.net] Munch robbery a diversion?

[MusSecNetworkCulPropProtNet]

Munch robbery a diversion?

Police now apparently rounding up the final suspects in one of Norway's
biggest robbery cases now believe their work may also lead to a breakthrough
in the high-profile theft of two masterpieces by Edvard Munch.

A shot of the NOKAS robbery in progress, captured by security cameras.

The robbery, which was a ruthless and large-scale operation, resulted in the
shooting death of police officer Arne Sigve Klungland, making it an
exceptionally violent crime by Norwegian standards.

The police investigation to catch the members of the gang behind the NOKAS
robbery is the biggest law-enforcement operation ever launched in Norway,
and has already cost NOK 65 (USD 10.2) million, probably a bit more than the
thieves made off with. 

Now investigators say they cannot rule out that the robbery of Munch
masterpieces "The Scream" and "Madonna" from the Munch Museum in Oslo on
August 22 last year was part of an advance maneuver from the band behind the
NOKAS heist. The goal would have been to tie up investigative resources by
creating a spectacular art theft.

On the grounds that the members of the various criminal networks in the
underworld in Oslo and eastern Norway know each other, police inspector Iver
Stensrud is optimistic that more than one case may be solved by the NOKAS
investigation.

"I would therefore not rule out that the arrests in the NOKAS case will lead
to a positive development in the investigation of the Munch case," Stensrud
told Aftenposten.

Police have biological trace evidence in the getaway car used in the Munch
robbery, and have an increasing number of suspects in custody to test.

The Malaga arrest of Toska, in the company of a 28-year-old Norwegian
suspected of being behind a major hashish smuggling operation, is another
indicator to police that Norway's criminal circles often merge, with
multi-faceted international criminals becoming the norm.

"It is interesting for us that these two were arrested together. It is
relevant to raise the question of whether part of the robbery take has been
used to purchase large quantities of hashish, and this is something the
police will investigate closely," Stensrud said.

Aftenposten's Norwegian reporters
Arild M. Jonassen and Inge D. Hanssen
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Jonathan Tisdall
 


http://www.aftenposten.no/