Thieves stole $30m in cash in one of the biggest heists in LA history

Thieves stole tens of millions of dollars from a Los Angeles cash storage facility on Easter Sunday, with their crime only discovered the next day.

The theft of at least $30m (£24m) is one of the biggest cash heists in LA history, local media reported.

There are few clues as to who carried out the crime - which was been described as "elaborate" - or exactly how.

The Los Angeles Police Department and FBI are jointly investigating the case.

No alarms were tripped and no one knew thieves had entered the facility, located in the San Fernando Valley, where cash from local businesses is processed and stored in a vault.

A crew of sophisticated burglars is believed to have come in through the roof, according to local media. Only a small group of people were aware so much cash was held in the building.

It took until Monday, when facility employees opened the vault, to realise that the massive sum was missing. The safe did not show any outward sign of break-in.

According to US media, the theft happened at a GardaWorld facility in the suburban neighbourhood of Sylmar. A news helicopter over the scene captured an apparent hole in the side of the building with debris nearby, however, it is unclear if it is related to the burglary.

The total surpasses any that has been taken in armoured vehicle robberies in the area, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The largest cash heist in LA's history was in September 1997 when $18.9m was stolen from Dunbar Armored Inc, according to the newspaper. Six men, including a former employee, were eventually arrested.

In 2022, an armoured truck was robbed around 55 miles (90km) north of where Sunday's heist occurred. The thieves grabbed dozens of bags containing vintage jewellery and gems while the guards were distracted.

The stolen items have been valued at over $100m. No arrests have been made.

Last year, thieves at the Toronto airport stole more than $15m in gold and cash. An aircraft container carrying the goods arrived at the airport and was transported to a cargo holding facility, where police believe the heist took place.

It is one of the largest heists in Canada's history.