In one of the greatest cash heists in Los Angeles history, robbers stole up to $30 million in cash during the Easter Sunday theft at a San Fernando Valley money storage facility, according to a Los Angeles police spokesman.
The incident occurred Sunday night at a Sylmar facility that handles and stores cash from businesses throughout the region, according to Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Elaine Morales.
According to Morales, the robbers were able to break into both the premises and the safe where the money was stored.
According to law enforcement authorities, the burglary was one of the largest in city history in terms of cash. According to sources involved with the investigation, a burglary crew gained entry to the vault by breaking through the roof of the Gardaworld building on Roxford Street. However, it is unclear how they bypassed the alarm system.
Requests for comment have gone unanswered by the Canada-based security provider.
The heist was discovered by the business’s operators only after they opened the vault on Monday. An ABC-7 TV news helicopter video revealed a big cut on the side of the building covered by a piece of plywood. The authorities were notified, and investigators from the LAPD’s Mission Division station went to the crime scene to gather evidence.
The break-in was described as elaborate, implying an experienced crew
A law enforcement source verified that an attempt was made to breach the side of the cash-holding building as well as the roof.
At least one alarm was triggered during the crime, but it was not connected to local law enforcement, according to a source familiar with the inquiry who was not authorized to speak publicly.
According to law enforcement officials, very few people would have been aware of the large sums of money held in that safe, adding to the mystery.
The break-in was described as elaborate, implying an experienced crew that knew how to obtain access to a secure building while remaining undetected.
It could be the greatest cash robbery in Los Angeles’ history
An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday night that the agency and the LAPD are looking into the theft.
A federal source said investigators were working to conduct a comprehensive accounting of the missing cash, but it could be the greatest cash robbery in Los Angeles history.
The prior greatest cash robbery in Los Angeles occurred on September 12, 1997, when $18.9 million was stolen from the former Dunbar Armored plant on Mateo Street. Those responsible for the incident were subsequently caught.