Introduction

On the crisp morning of April 5, 2004, the city of Stavanger, Norway, became the backdrop for an audacious crime that would go down in history as the largest heist the country had ever seen. At precisely 8:00 AM, the NOKAS cash depot, nestled in the serene streets of Kongensgate, was stormed by a group of heavily armed men. This brazen daylight robbery would not only leave the city in shock but also result in a tragic loss and a complex investigation that would captivate the nation.

The Robbery

The carefully orchestrated plan unfolded with military precision, yet it was doomed from the start. Despite having intelligence that a raid was imminent, the local police were ill-prepared due to the Easter holiday. A warning had been issued, alerting them to the vulnerability of the NOKAS depot, but it wasn't enough to thwart the impending disaster. Clad in bulletproof vests, helmets, ski masks, and gloves, the assailants were armed to the teeth with an arsenal that included an AG-3 battle rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, an MP5 submachine gun, an M1 Carbine, and a .45 ACP pistol. Many of these weapons were traced back to the Madla Military Camp.

To ensure a successful escape, the robbers went to great lengths to delay the police response. A burning truck blocked the exit of the Stavanger Police HQ, smoke grenades clouded the front of the building, and spike strips littered the roads, ready to shred the tires of any approaching police vehicles. The robbers believed they had found a weak spot in the depot's security—a window overlooking a courtyard in the old office block. Their plan was to be in and out in eight minutes. However, the bulletproof glass proved more formidable than anticipated.

As the minutes ticked by, the robbers resorted to brute force, using a sledgehammer and battering ram to no avail. In desperation, they unleashed a hail of 113 bullets upon the window. Meanwhile, the depot's employees, sensing the danger, managed to escape, leaving the ground floor vulnerable. Outside, in Cathedral Square, more gunmen took strategic positions, ready to fend off any police intervention.

When the police finally arrived, chaos erupted. In the ensuing gunfight, Police Lieutenant Arne Sigve Klungland tragically lost his life. The robbers seized the opportunity to escape with a staggering 57.4 million kroner, equivalent to approximately 8 million USD at that time. Despite the massive haul, 51 million kroner remain unaccounted for to this day. The emotional trauma inflicted on the 37 NOKAS employees was acknowledged with a total compensation of nine million kroner.

David Toska: The Mastermind

David Toska, an Oslo native, emerged as the mastermind behind this audacious heist. Assembling a team of former inmates, school friends, and new acquaintances, he meticulously planned the robbery over several months. Living in Skjeneholen with his girlfriend and newborn son, Toska rented a flat near Stavanger, which served as a clandestine meeting point for the gang to prepare and disguise themselves for the fateful day.

Early Warnings and Police Oversight

During the trial, it became apparent that the police had received intelligence about an impending heist. Officer Arne Hammersmark revealed crucial points in his testimony: getaway vehicles had been stolen in Hamar, a Volvo XC linked to Kjell Alrich Schumann had been spotted in the area, and several cash dispensers were attacked in central-eastern Norway, a region where Schumann operated. Furthermore, key elements of the criminal underworld had gone underground, and rumors suggested they had taken refuge in Stavanger. Suspicious surveillance of the NOKAS office and transport vans had also been reported.

The Timeline of Events

The events of that April morning unfolded with chilling efficiency:

• 03:30 AM: The robbers were picked up from Skjeneholen and taken to Oppmarsjplassen, a grove near Tennisland. The van returned for the remaining men and materials, including mattresses, bedding, and towels, intended to eliminate any genetic evidence by burning them outside the police station.

• 06:55 AM: Kjell Alrich Schumann was spotted at Cathedral Square. A white truck with two men was seen acting suspiciously nearby.

• 07:00 AM: A Ford Expedition, registration BP 50471, was caught on CCTV, followed by a stolen truck.

• 07:29 AM: A silver Saab 9-5, registration DK 38262, appeared on CCTV.

• 07:40 AM: All eleven robbers were caught on camera, fully equipped and armed.

• 08:00 AM: Johnny Thendrup ignited the white truck at Stavanger Police Station and deployed tear gas canisters.

• 08:01 AM: A Range Rover parked outside the cash depot, followed by a Saab at St. Mary's Church.

• 08:02 AM: Gunmen, dressed in dark suits and gas masks, attempted to breach the depot through a courtyard window.

• 08:03 AM: David Toska and Schumann fired at the window with an AG3, eventually breaking it.

• 08:08 AM: Police officers Erik Haaland and Steffen Thesen arrived at Cathedral Square, while the robbers loaded cash into duffle bags.

• 08:10 AM: Schumann exited the NOKAS building.

• 08:14 AM: A shootout ensued, with Thendrup wounded. Officer Fred Sherling, in civilian clothing, encountered Schumann, who threatened him with a gun.

• 08:17 AM: Schumann fired at a police car, killing Lieutenant Klungland.

• 08:19 AM: The robbers fled in three getaway cars, with Toska in the Ford. The Range Rover collided with the Saab, hampering their escape.

• 08:30 AM: The getaway cars were set ablaze near Sørmarka, and the robbers vanished in awaiting vehicles.

The Investigation

The aftermath of the robbery saw a swift and thorough investigation, culminating in the arrest of 13 individuals linked to the crime. On April 12, 2005, David Toska confessed to his involvement but denied shooting Klungland. Toska was also implicated in the robbery of the Union Bank in Oslo and the Post mail center in 2003. Meanwhile, Johnny Thendrup admitted to being the wounded robber.

Two years later, Kjell Alrich Schumann confessed to firing the fatal shot that killed Klungland. Ironically, the robbers' attempt to destroy evidence by burning materials outside the police station backfired, as DNA was recovered from the scene.

Officer Erik Haaland faced an internal investigation to determine the justification of his actions during the shootout, which ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing.

The Trial and Aftermath

On March 10, 2006, the trial concluded with the conviction of the thirteen men involved in the NOKAS robbery, resulting in a cumulative sentence of 181 years in prison. David Toska received the longest term, 21 years. The Court of Appeal upheld the verdict for twelve of the thirteen men on January 19, 2007. However, Thomas Thendrup was initially acquitted by the jury. In a controversial move, the presiding judges overturned the jury's decision, leading to a retrial. Thendrup was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 14 years on September 13, 2007.

The Norwegian Supreme Court later added a cumulative 27 years to the sentences on June 29, 2007. One of the accused, Ikmet K, maintained his innocence, claiming he was closing a drug deal at the time of the heist. He famously stated in the media that he "got the right sentence, but for the wrong crime."

The case cost the Norwegian state an estimated 160 million NOK. Remarkably, during the ten years from 1994 to 2004, Norwegian police fired only 79 shots, with 48 of those occurring during the NOKAS robbery.

The Perpetrators

The thirteen defendants, whose names became infamous in Norway, were:

• David Toska
• Kjell Alrich Schumann (1966–2025)
• Erling Havnå
• Metkel Betew (1978–2025)
• Ridvan Halimi
• Ikmet Kodzadziku
• Lars-Erik Andersen
• Alf Henrik Christensen
• Dan Pettersen
• Johnny Thendrup
• Thomas Oscar Ingebrigtsen
• William Pettersen
• Thomas Thendrup

Cultural Impact

The NOKAS robbery left an indelible mark on Norwegian society and was immortalized in the 2010 film "Nokas," directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg. The film depicts the chaotic scene of the robbery, capturing the confusion as police and gunmen exchanged fire amidst civilians and circulating buses.