The Helicopter Heist Ending Explained: What Went Wrong During the Robbery?

The Helicopter Heist Ending Explained: The Helicopter Heist is available on Netflix from November 22, 2024. It is a Swedish thriller miniseries, based on the novel of the same name by Jonas Bonnier. The show deals with the story of the Västberga helicopter heist. Composed of 8 episodes, it is based on events that happened, and its goal is to go beyond what happened that day inside a cash warehouse in Sweden. Helicopter Assault is a thrilling account of the failure of a seemingly perfect plan. Through human error and internal tensions, the film shows how even the most elaborate plans can fall apart. The ending leaves unanswered questions, especially about the fate of the money, but captures the personal and emotional toll of a life of crime.

The Helicopter Heist: Plot Summary

The plot of The Helicopter Heist follows five robbers who break into the cash depot of a private company, G4S, in Vastberga (Stockholm), Sweden. Rami Farhan and Michel Maloof have prepared their plan, but when they arrive at the location they are surprised by some events that delay their escape and cause mistakes. Zoran Petrovic, one of the organizers of the robbery, has hired pilot Filip Zivic to land the helicopter on the building. However, the latter turns out to be an informant working for the Serbian government. Therefore, the robbers must improvise and find another pilot, quickly. Enter former TV producer Axel Broberg, who works as a marketing manager and is a hobby helicopter pilot.

Since he has a lot of debt, Zoran makes him an offer he can’t refuse. On the day of the robbery, September 23, 2009, however, Axel appears anxious, as he believes he will not return home. So he sends a message to his wife Vanna Andersson. In this way, he establishes a connection between him and the robbers for the police, providing enough evidence to arrest him. But this is not Axel’s only mistake. His task is to take the helicopter to Kanaan Beach, after leaving the robbers, and burn it to eliminate the evidence inside. But when he gets there, he sees three armed men and panics. Axel is convinced that Zoran wants to kill him, so he doesn’t land the helicopter there and goes to Vallentuna, where the locals report his arrival. The police arrived and DNA evidence of the robbers was found.

The Helicopter Heist Ending Explained: What Went Wrong During the Robbery?

Although the plan seemed perfect, several mistakes marked the downfall of the thieves:

• The inexperienced pilot, Axel Broberg: A cocaine addict in debt, Axel was hired at the last minute as a pilot. In a moment of anxiety, he sent a text message to his wife from his cell phone, linking his location to that of the robbers. He also ignored instructions to burn the helicopter on Kanaan Beach and landed it in Vallentuna, where police recovered crucial DNA.

• Rami’s Blood: During the robbery, Rami accidentally cut himself and left traces of blood in five places in the storage room. Having a criminal record for a robbery at the Swedish National Museum, his DNA was registered, making it easier for the authorities to identify him.

These mistakes gave the police the clues they needed to catch those responsible.

What Happened to the Thieves?

• Rami Farhan: Arrested in Punta Cana by the DEA, Rami was sentenced to 8 years in prison. Although he did not betray his companions, his life was devastated. He lost his wife, Karin, who left him for another man, and he was unable to maintain custody of his children. His involvement in the robbery, driven by debt and racial pressures, solved nothing, only further separating him from his family.
• Michel Maloof: The mastermind behind the heist, Michel, managed to avoid direct evidence against him and received a lighter sentence. In the end, he is shown tattooing a design from the robbery, proud of his feat. He likely hid the money safely, planning to celebrate with his mates once they were released.
• Axel Broberg: His mistakes marked him out as a weak link in the group. Although his fate is not detailed, it is suggested that he receive a one-off payment rather than a share of the loot.
• Zoran Petrovic and Niklas Larsson: Although their fate is not fully revealed, it is hinted that Zoran hid some of the money in a buried jar, while Michel likely managed the remaining funds.

What Happened to Stolen Money?

• The fate of the 39 million Swedish krona remains a mystery. Most of the money was made up of unmarked banknotes, making it difficult to trace.
  Hiding places: The film suggests that Zoran and Michel hid their share in safe places. Michel even seems to have hoarded Rami’s loot, who fled without receiving his share.
• Missing: Although robberies of this magnitude often leave a financial trail, the police never recovered the money, adding a layer of intrigue to the outcome.

What Happens to Rami?

The ending of The Helicopter Heist doesn’t reveal how Rami cut himself during the robbery, leaving his DNA in several places. The real story is that Safa Kadhum, the person this character is based on in the miniseries, slipped on the ladder and cut himself, dripping blood everywhere. The police, in the end, already have his DNA, as Rami was arrested in 2000 for a robbery at the Swedish National Museum. Therefore, it is easy for the agents to locate him. Meanwhile, Rami leaves the country and flees to the Dominican Republic. There, however, he is arrested by DEA agents. After his arrest, he refuses to rat out his accomplices.

Rami is sentenced to 8 years in prison. When he is released, he does not get custody of his children because of his criminal record and his wife Karin Lagerstedt has another man by her side.