Security Guards Are Under Investigation as the $1 Billion Green Vault Heist in Dresden Increasingly Looks Like an Inside Job

Four security guards are under investigation for their alleged
roles in one of the largest European jewelry heists in recent
history.

Investigators and German prosecutors believe that accomplices
inside the historic Green Vault in Dresden helped carry out the
heist of priceless jewels. The theft took place on the morning of
November 25, when two intruders broke into the museum through a
small window, smashing the glass cases to steal the jewelry, and
then taking off in a getaway car. The loot has been estimated to be
worth as much as $1 billion.

The two security guards on duty did not “react adequately” in
failing to prevent the theft, according to investigators.

Another two security guards who were not on duty that evening
may have helped the thieves. Prosecutors allege that one guard, who
was arrested on November 29, had passed on information about the
museum’s layout and security system to the perpetrators.
Authorities have searched the apartment of the fourth security
guard who prosecutors suspect of meddling with the alarm system. On
the night of the robbery, a fire broke out at an electrical
distribution point that deactivated the museum’s electricity and
its alarm system.

It is now believed that a total of seven people carried out
the theft. The police
have released a sketch depicting one of the suspects they believe
was involved in the robbery.

Police have also discovered more information about the getaway
car. The 2006 Audi S6 was purchased by an unknown person in August
2019 from a private seller in Magdeburg. The buyer was about
25 years old and a police sketch has been released to the public.
The investigators are assuming that this buyer is connected to the
subsequent burglary. The burnt out car was found in a parking lot
not far from the museum.

Authorities are offering a €500,000 ($571,517) reward for
treasures, which included three sets of diamonds and other precious
jewels, the majority of which were acquired by Augustus the Strong
and Augustus III and date to between 1782 and 1789. Since November,
police have received 1,300 tips from the public. Last month, there
were reports that the jewels were circulating on the dark
web.

The post Security Guards Are Under Investigation as the $1
Billion Green Vault Heist in Dresden Increasingly Looks Like an
Inside Job appeared first on artnet News.