The case began with a theft in Leksand where a complainant had two motorcycles and an ATV stolen, according to research from two sources. The ATV was equipped with a hidden GPS transmitter, and after initial technical problems, the owner obtained positioning data showing the vehicle was in Poland, the research indicates. Through the complainant's contacts in Poland, Polish police were quickly involved and tracked the vehicle in real time, leading to a farm in southern Poland where police conducted a raid resulting in 20 stolen vehicles being found and seized, the sources report. The total value of the stolen vehicles is estimated at around five million kronor, and motorcycles, four cars and a quarter of a million kronor in cash have been seized.
One of the motorcycles was linked to an earlier theft in Falun where DNA was secured, which became an important piece in the investigation and tied a suspect to multiple crimes, according to the research. By analyzing phone traffic and call lists, police mapped a network of people moving near several crime scenes around the country. This expanded the scope from one theft to 41 different theft cases in 27 municipalities, making it one of the largest in the area in recent years, the research shows. Just over 30 vehicles are still missing, but many have been returned to owners in Sweden.
Linking several thefts raised suspicions to aggravated theft, allowing use of secret coercive measures crucial to unraveling the network, the research indicates. Police requested Hawk, or secret surveillance of electronic communications, to follow individuals via phone movements. Analysis of suspects' phones showed stolen motorcycles were hidden in forest areas and later retrieved for export, according to the research. Twelve of the 20 motorcycles found in Poland could be linked to actors in Sweden, the research indicates.
Foreign clients place orders with local thieves who steal motorcycles for export.
Currently, eight people are charged in Sweden, six of whom have been detained for a longer time, the research reports. All accused were raised in Sweden and are citizens of Sweden, Finland and Poland, according to prosecutor Johan Knies. Three more people are suspected in Poland but are free, with suspicions remaining, the research adds.
According to the investigation, there are links to international organized crime, with foreign clients believed to have directed the operations and hired Swedish perpetrators. According to swedenherald.com, Daniel Hagthorpe described foreign clients placing orders with local thieves who steal motorcycles for export. The police's National Operations Department (Noa) has been involved, and investigation teams in Karlskoga, Haninge and Norrtälje have participated, according to the research.
Just over 30 vehicles are still missing, according to research, though the exact number is unclear with some sources stating 31 vehicles are unaccounted for. The identities and roles of the three individuals suspected in Poland who remain free are not publicly known, and it is unclear how exactly the stolen vehicles were transported to Poland or what routes were used. The specific evidence linking foreign clients to the thefts and who these clients are remains unknown.
It's a lot of fun and they've received good feedback from grateful stakeholders.
In a separate case, a Swedish 16-year-old has been arrested as a suspect for a shooting that occurred in Ålborg, Denmark on April 7, according to Nordjyllandspolisen. The teenage boy was arrested near Helsingborg, multiple reports indicate. His current status and what charges he is facing have not been disclosed.
An investigation into the electronics chain Elon found no support for crimes being committed in the business, according to the company. The investigation showed repeated deficiencies in decision documentation and instances where individual executives did not follow the company's code of conduct, though the specific violations are not detailed. The investigation was conducted by lawyer Biörn Riese and started in connection with an article series in SvD about surprising business deals at Elon, multiple reports say. Several directors at the company ensured that relatives or their own companies received sponsorship from the electronics chain, and a senior director sold the company's products illegally, according to sources. The specific documentation deficiencies and conduct violations at Elon are not publicly detailed.
According to swedenherald.com, Daniel Hagthorpe described the police work as receiving good feedback from grateful stakeholders. Prosecutor Johan Knies stated that this is a clear example of how technical tools combined with international cooperation can be decisive in an investigation. Police officer Fredrik Mattsson said it became clear it was not isolated thefts but an organized operation with clear structure. He added that this indicates foreign actors increasingly use local perpetrators, requiring new methods to combat this crime. Fredrik Johansson, board chairman of Elon, noted there is reason for self-criticism even though no crime was established. This case represents one of Sweden's largest recent theft cases with international organized crime links.