2015/04/23

ABC News April 22, 2015: Photos Show How Burglars Drilled Through London Vault's Massive Concrete Wall

The Metropolitan Police in London released photos today of a company vault that authorities believe took the burglars four days to break into, leading to a brazen heist.

The suspects drilled through the 20-inch thick concrete wall of the vault using a "heavy duty" Hilti DD350 drill, according to a police statement and images released today.

Metropolitan Police officials said they believe suspects entered the Hatton Garden safety deposit company in London's jewelry quarter on Thursday, April 2, around 9:20 p.m., then also on the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday at varying times. The hole, about 3 feet from the floor, is about 10 inches high and nearly 18 inches wide, police said.

Thieves Drilled Into Vault in London Jewelry District Heist

Video Appears to Show London Diamond-District Heist Gang

"The vault was covered in dust and debris and the floor was strewn with discarded safety deposit boxes and numerous power tools, including an angle grinder, concrete drills and crowbars," Metropolitan Police said in a statement. There have been no arrests yet. Local media reports estimate the value of the goods stolen to be as much as $300 million to simply "hundreds of millions of pounds" of jewelry. more