In a brazen daylight theft, criminals made off with a staggering $1.3 million in gold bars from a Paraguayan diplomat near New York's iconic Grand Central Terminal. The shocking robbery occurred on Monday afternoon as the victim was transporting the precious cargo in a diplomatic bag.
The Heist: How It Happened
According to NYPD officials, two thieves approached the 56-year-old diplomat near 47th Street and 5th Avenue - just blocks from the bustling transit hub. In a swift operation, they grabbed the locked case containing 10kg of gold before fleeing the scene.
Possible Insider Job?
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed authorities are investigating whether the criminals had inside information about the gold shipment. "The precision and timing of this theft raise serious questions," Bragg stated at a press conference.
Diplomatic Complications
The involvement of diplomatic personnel adds complexity to the case. While the gold was officially registered as a diplomatic shipment, questions remain about why such valuable cargo was being transported through public streets without enhanced security.
NYPD's Response
Police have released surveillance images of two suspects described as Hispanic males in their 30s. The NYPD's Major Case Squad is leading the investigation, working with Paraguayan consular officials.
This audacious robbery marks one of Manhattan's most valuable street thefts in recent years, occurring in one of the most heavily surveilled areas of New York City.
