Open to the public, thieves walked right into the Cathedral just before noon on Tuesday, local time. After smashing the glass of the armed displays, they fled first on bicycle and then by motorboat. The Strängnäs Cathedral is situated near Lake Malar, a busy waterway with access to many islands and major cities. Despite the use of helicopters and a request for tips from the public, the search for the thieves has been unsuccessful so far. Police are currently using divers to search the lake, hoping to turn up useful clues.
Because of the high-profile of the heist and the rarity of the crown jewels, they will likely be hard for the thieves to sell. This raises concerns about the safety of the objects, as items this old require special handling to preserve them. If the objects are not recovered, they will likely not be properly cared for, potentially damaging them.
