Thieves net $30 million in LA cash heist
A $30 million heist from a cash-saving facility is known as one of the largest cash heists in Los Angeles history.
Fox – LA
The theft of $30 million from a Los Angeles cash depository on Easter Sunday was one of the largest cash heists in the city's history. The Los Angeles Times reported.
L.A. Police Department Commander Elaine Morales told the Times on Wednesday that the incident happened at a facility in the Sylmar area of the San Fernando Valley, where cash from businesses across the region is handled and stored.
Although the official did not name the facility, ABC7 reported The robbery happened at GardaWorld, a global cash management and security company in Sylmar. GardaWorld did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on the incident.
The burglars entered without setting off the alarm
Without setting off the alarms, the robbers were able to break into the building and the safe where the money was stored, Morales told the media outlet. Officials familiar with the case told ABC 7 that the thieves entered the building through the roof and somehow got to the cash storage area, “which could be a vault.”
Police told the Times that there were no signs of an outside burglary, and that the missing money was not discovered until the safe was opened Monday by business operators.
ABC7 said an “apparent hole” was found in the side of the building, “it was boarded up,” with debris piled up next to it. However, it was unclear if the damage was related to Sunday's robbery.
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The FBI and LAPD are working together to investigate the robbery
The LAPD told USA TODAY that the matter is being investigated in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that all investigations will be handled directly by the federal agency. Meanwhile, the FBI did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for an update on the incident and investigation.
Law enforcement officials told the Times that the incident was confusing because few people knew about the safe deposit box. The break-in was described as elaborate, suggesting that those who were able to gain access to the facility were experienced and computer-savvy.
According to the Times, Sunday's break-in was one of the largest cash heists in Los Angeles. The exact extent of the damage will not be known until the investigation is complete.
Sylmar is about 23 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.
Saman Shafiq is a popular news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her on Platform X, formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
