The Stockholm police have received 48 reports of break-ins and attempted break-ins using corrosive acid since the end of May.
A theory is that it involves a network, Europol is involved, says Monica Krüger at the border police.
After the wave of break-ins, the police sent some of the locks to the National Forensic Centre (NFC) and they can now confirm that it involves nitric acid, according to the police.
The nitric acid may be mixed with another acid to speed up the corrosion, but we're not entirely sure yet, says Monica Krüger.
Several countries affected
The police are aware of similar acid break-ins in Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, and Portugal. The first case was reported, according to Krüger, at the end of 2022.
We are now collaborating with foreign police and Europol to see if it's the same network behind the break-ins.
The collaboration means that countries share information and look for common individuals who may be relevant to the investigation.
One theory we have is that it's a foreign theft gang that travels between different countries. They may be collaborating with individuals in each country who can provide them with, among other things, vehicles and information about suitable addresses, says Monica Krüger.
Since we've seen the same modus operandi abroad, we can't rule out that they've now come to Sweden and are operating here, she continues.
Stockholm targeted
As recently as Monday evening, the police were alerted to an address on Kungsholmen in Stockholm. The resident had been away and upon returning home, the break-in was discovered, where the thieves had used acid to corrode the lock cylinder and gain entry to the apartment.
The majority of the acid break-ins have occurred in central Stockholm, but also in Solna and Skärholmen. The police have indications that the thieves strike both during the day and at night.
We're in the middle of the holiday season, so many people are away, they're probably striking now because it takes a little time to corrode a lock.
Nitric acid (HNO3) is a colorless, fuming, oxidizing liquid, in water solution a strong acid. The acid is one of the most important basic chemicals for the production of commercial fertilizers and explosives.
Fuming or red nitric acid contains at least 90 weight percent acid and is an extremely powerful and fast-acting oxidation agent, which easily dissolves noble metals such as palladium.
Very diluted nitric acid also dissolves base metals such as zinc and iron.
Nitric acid is toxic and destroys biological tissues, causing severe and difficult-to-heal injuries.
Facts: NE
