A perfume store in central Gothenburg became the target of an early morning break-in on Friday. Police responded to the alarm at approximately 4 AM at the shop located on Södra Larmgatan. Witnesses reported seeing a white car fleeing the scene toward Allén shortly after the incident occurred.
Police spokesperson Fredrik Svedemyr confirmed the investigation focuses on aggravated theft. The store remained cordoned off throughout Friday morning as forensic technicians conducted their examination. The entrance door showed clear signs of forced entry, with shattered glass indicating a violent break-in method.
Officials cannot rule out this being a smash and grab robbery. This method involves quickly breaking into a business, grabbing valuable items, and making a rapid escape. The white vehicle seen leaving the area matches patterns typically associated with such crimes.
This incident comes just hours after another suspected smash and grab robbery targeted a gold shop near Avenyn on Thursday evening. That case also involved suspects fleeing in a vehicle, prompting a major police operation across central Gothenburg. Despite an extensive search, no arrests were made in either case.
When asked about potential connections between the two robberies, police maintained they are currently treating them as separate investigations. The proximity in both timing and location raises obvious questions about coordinated criminal activity. Gothenburg has seen increased organized retail crime in recent months, particularly targeting high-value luxury goods.
Perfume stores represent attractive targets for thieves due to the high resale value of branded fragrances. The compact size of perfume bottles makes them easy to transport and difficult to track. International criminal networks often target such goods for quick profit through underground markets.
Swedish police face ongoing challenges combating organized retail crime. The repetitive nature of these incidents suggests criminals operate with confidence in their ability to evade capture. The pattern of consecutive robberies within hours indicates either boldness or desperation among perpetrators.
Local businesses in the affected areas express growing concern about security measures. Many retailers have invested in reinforced glass and alarm systems, but determined thieves continue finding ways to bypass these protections. The economic impact extends beyond stolen merchandise to include repair costs and lost business during closures.
Police encourage witnesses with any information about either incident to come forward. They particularly seek details about the white vehicle seen leaving both crime scenes. The ongoing investigations involve reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses and interviewing area residents.
Retail crime in Swedish urban centers has shown a noticeable increase during economic downturns. Experts point to both organized criminal networks and opportunistic individuals as contributing factors. The concentration of luxury retailers in central Gothenburg makes the area particularly vulnerable to such targeted attacks.