Just a few minutes after dusk, two robbers hijacked an armored truck parked by Interstate 95 in Wilson County in North Carolina, tied and left the truck's guards into the woods, and went away with barrels filled with gold bars. It was estimated that the stolen gold bars are worth more than $4 million.
The driver of the armored truck had to pull over on the side of the highway after the vehicle experienced some mechanical issues in the middle of the trip from Miami to Massachusetts. While the truck was parked, three men arrived on the scene. They were in a white van. The guards of the armored truck were then forced to the ground and robbed at gunpoint. With their hands tied behind their backs, the guards were told to walk into the nearby woods where they remained while the robbers tried to get away from the place.
The guards, who are employed by Transvalue Inc., told police that they were surprised with the attack by the three armed men. They were not harmed during the heist.
Jay Rodriguez, Transvalue CEO, said that the truck that was carrying the gold bars came from Miami and started to hit the road at around 4 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 1. The gold bars were headed to Attleboro in Massachusetts, a town located south of Boston and has been nicknamed "Jewelry City." It is said that the name was given because of the larger number of jewelry makers found in the place.
"Transvalue Inc. deeply regrets the events that transpired yesterday evening," said Rodriguez. "We are pleased that our crew was not harmed."
While it is true that Interstate 95 is one of the busiest roads found on the East Coast, the highway's rural stretch is said to be isolated with trees and farms found on its borders.
Other details about the robbery, such as the weapons used by the robbers and how they were able to get the armored truck open, are still unknown. Even a detailed description of the suspects or their vehicle was not released.
Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard Jr. declined to give interviews.
Transvalue is a company that specializes in the transportation of precious metals, cash, gems and jewelry using armored trucks. Its shipments are insured for up to $100 million.
The company is offering a reward of $50,000 for any information that could lead to the arrest of the robbery suspects. People can contact the Wilson County Sheriff's Office at 252-237-2188.
