In mid-January, two masked men entered the grocery store. While one man stood guard, the other approached the cash register. He held a cleaver in his hand and told a member of staff to hand over money and tobacco products.
Before the men left the store with the stolen goods in bags, the man with the cleaver also took a mobile phone from another employee. The men then got into a car, which they had previously stolen in Strömstad, and drove away from the scene.
The Chase Across The Border
Swedish police located the car shortly after the incident and initiated a pursuit. However, when the cars reached high speeds, the police chose to abort the operation to protect other road users.
The car continued towards the Norwegian border. Once in Norway, the Norwegian police took over the work and managed to stop the vehicle. The two men, who are Norwegian citizens, were arrested and handed over to the police in Karlstad to be brought to justice.
Denial And Confession
During the trial, the two men had different attitudes towards what had happened. The younger man stated that he was the one holding the cleaver and took the phone, and he said he wanted to take full responsibility for the incident.
The older man denied all involvement and chose not to answer questions from the court. However, the district court chose to convict both men as co-perpetrators.
The court based its decision on technical evidence. The older man was wearing the same clothes at the time of his arrest as one of the robbers had been wearing in the store. There were also saved messages between the two men.
Verdict And Damages
Värmland District Court sentences both men to two and a half years in prison. They must also pay damages totaling over 120,000 kronor.
The money will be distributed between the Ica store and the affected staff members, as compensation for distress and the loss of earnings after the incident.