Mission possible - $200m gem robbery
February 20, 2003
ANTWERP: Thieves have broken into one of the most secure buildings in Europe to commit what could be the largest diamond robbery in history.
The gang evaded security cameras, alarm systems and armed guards to unlock a 20cm thick bomb-proof door and steal an estimated $200 million worth of gems.
The door, which did not show any signs of forced entry, had been closed by the thieves as they left the scene.
Police are still trying to unravel how the thieves pulled off the heist, and believe it may have been an inside job.
The robbery at Belgium's Antwerp Diamond Centre in the centre of the city's diamond district was only uncovered on Monday morning, when staff returned to work after the weekend.
Workers found 123 of the centre's 160 vaults had been broken into. Paperwork and dropped diamonds were found scattered on the floor by the gang as they made their escape.
Paperwork authenticating the diamonds was also taken. Police have yet to give any estimate on the size of the heist but a similar robbery in 1994 gives some idea of the magnitude.
On that occasion five safes were broken into and $9 million worth of diamonds were taken.
"We shouldn't extrapolate but it is sure that the total will be much larger now," Youri Steverlynck of Antwerp's High Diamond Council said.
"We are certainly talking about many millions. We will have to see to what extent the security system failed.
"This will hurt Antwerp's image as a diamond centre."
Antwerp is considered the diamond cutting capital of the world and the largest diamond distribution centre.
"It is impossible and yet it happened," diamond merchant Marcel Fuehrer said.
Antwerp police said they were questioning all of the traders, who rented safes, and workers in the diamond centre.
Security staff are also being interrogated by police.
The Advertiser
February 20, 2003
ANTWERP: Thieves have broken into one of the most secure buildings in Europe to commit what could be the largest diamond robbery in history.
The gang evaded security cameras, alarm systems and armed guards to unlock a 20cm thick bomb-proof door and steal an estimated $200 million worth of gems.
The door, which did not show any signs of forced entry, had been closed by the thieves as they left the scene.
Police are still trying to unravel how the thieves pulled off the heist, and believe it may have been an inside job.
The robbery at Belgium's Antwerp Diamond Centre in the centre of the city's diamond district was only uncovered on Monday morning, when staff returned to work after the weekend.
Workers found 123 of the centre's 160 vaults had been broken into. Paperwork and dropped diamonds were found scattered on the floor by the gang as they made their escape.
Paperwork authenticating the diamonds was also taken. Police have yet to give any estimate on the size of the heist but a similar robbery in 1994 gives some idea of the magnitude.
On that occasion five safes were broken into and $9 million worth of diamonds were taken.
"We shouldn't extrapolate but it is sure that the total will be much larger now," Youri Steverlynck of Antwerp's High Diamond Council said.
"We are certainly talking about many millions. We will have to see to what extent the security system failed.
"This will hurt Antwerp's image as a diamond centre."
Antwerp is considered the diamond cutting capital of the world and the largest diamond distribution centre.
"It is impossible and yet it happened," diamond merchant Marcel Fuehrer said.
Antwerp police said they were questioning all of the traders, who rented safes, and workers in the diamond centre.
Security staff are also being interrogated by police.
The Advertiser
