$4M in Gold Stolen From Truck Heading to Massachusetts

Armed robbers made off with $4 million in gold bars from an armored truck en route to Massachusetts after they marched its two guards off into the North Carolina woods Sunday, in a massive heist targeting loot bound for Attleboro's "Jewelry City."

The two security guards, working for Transvalue Inc. of Miami, said they pulled off to the side of Interstate 95 in North Carolina around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, after their armored truck began having mechanical problems in Wilson County, the sheriff's office said.

Three armed men driving a white van approached and ordered them to lie on the ground, tied their hands behind their backs and then marched them into nearby woods, the guards said. The robbers then unloaded barrels filled with gold and made their getaway, according to a statement.

The office of Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard, Jr., did not respond to messages seeking additional information. No detailed description of the suspects or their vehicle was released.

FBI agents are assisting the local sheriff and are working to determine whether a federal crime has been committed, said Shelley Lynch, spokeswoman for the FBI's Charlotte field office.

The gold bars were headed to Attleboro, Massachusetts, a town south of Boston nicknamed "Jewelry City" for the large number of manufacturers based there. The truck carrying the loot had left Miami about 4 a.m. Sunday, Transvalue chief executive officer Jay Rodriguez said in a statement.

Transvalue specializes in transporting cash, precious metals, gems and jewelry in armored trucks, according to its website. The company says its shipments are insured for up to $100 million. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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