Coming soon to Netflix, Helicopter Heist (Helikopterrånet) is a gripping series based on the novel by Jonas Bonnier, diving deep into the infamous real-life heist of the G4S cash service depot in southern Stockholm. The series offers a fresh perspective, expanding on the previously known details and exploring the full scope of this audacious crime.

Though the true events remain shrouded in mystery, the September 23rd, 2009 robbery has become a legendary story in Sweden. This article delves into the facts that have emerged over the years, with a cautionary note: spoilers ahead.

At 5:15 AM on September 23rd, 2009, the meticulously orchestrated heist began. A Bell 206 helicopter, stolen from Roslagens helicopter base in Norrtälje, touched down on the roof of the G4S building in Västberga, southern Stockholm. A group of armed robbers, clad in black with masks and helmets, burst into the building, smashing windows with sledgehammers and descending inside via 20-foot ladders. Small bombs placed throughout the facility detonated, breaching the security doors.

While terrified night staff hid, fearing the building would collapse, the robbers moved stealthily through the structure. With buzzsaws, they cut through locks on the cash cages. Bags were filled with money, quickly loaded into the helicopter, and by 5:35 AM—just 20 minutes after landing—they were airborne, vanishing into the early morning sky with an estimated $150 million.

The Swedish police arrived during the heist, but the robbers had prepared for this. They grounded the police’s emergency helicopter by threatening them with submachine guns and bombs, while laying caltrops on the road to disable police vehicles.

Three hours later, the getaway helicopter was found abandoned in a forest north of Stockholm, providing the authorities with CCTV footage to begin piecing together the puzzle.

Just one month earlier, Serbian police had alerted Swedish authorities about a possible helicopter-related heist, though the date and location were unknown. Goran Bojovic, a suspect with connections to Serbia’s secret police, was identified as the mastermind.

Over time, the robbers were captured one by one. Sadhan Kadhum left behind DNA from an injury sustained while climbing the ladders. Pilot Alexander Eriksson was traced to an airport in the Canary Islands, and Bojovic was found with a bag of money in his apartment.

Ultimately, 10 men were arrested and charged in connection with the heist. However, it is believed that many of those involved, along with a significant portion of the stolen money (estimated between five to eight million dollars), remain unaccounted for.

For those captivated by this notorious crime, Helicopter Heist on Netflix offers a character-driven narrative, combining emotional themes of brotherhood, fatherhood, and ambition, all set against the backdrop of a grand, high-stakes adventure. This thrilling Icarus tale explores the ultimate price of winning—and losing—it all.