A man received a three and a half year prison sentence for robbing two jewelry stores in Uppsala. The robberies occurred in May and July. The thief stole high-value jewelry during the first incident. In the second robbery, a masked man forced employees to hand over cash. He then escaped on an electric scooter.
Police identified the suspect through the rental account for the escape vehicle. The 30-year-old man lived in Uppsala. Officers later found photos of stolen jewelry in his phone. The images showed items with price tags still attached from the first robbery.
The defendant consistently denied any involvement in the crimes. He refused to answer questions during police interviews. The court found sufficient evidence to convict him for both robberies. The total stolen property value reached 680,000 Swedish kronor.
This case highlights several concerning trends in Swedish property crime. Police noted the use of rental electric scooters for quick getaways. They also observed that thieves increasingly target high-value jewelry stores in suburban shopping centers. The Gränbystaden shopping area where these robberies occurred has seen increased security measures since the incidents.
Sweden's legal system typically imposes prison sentences for serious property crimes. The three and a half year sentence falls within standard range for armed robberies of this scale. Courts consider the planned nature of the crimes and the substantial economic loss when determining sentences.
What does this mean for business security in Sweden? Retailers in suburban centers are reviewing their security protocols. Many are installing additional surveillance cameras and alarm systems. Some stores now keep less high-value inventory on display during evening hours.
The convicted man will serve his sentence in a Swedish prison. He maintains his innocence despite the evidence presented in court. The stolen jewelry was not recovered in either case. Police continue investigating possible connections to other unsolved robberies in the Uppsala region.