Secret cellar for Swedish kids revealed in Norway
A Norwegian man arrested on charges of attempting to abduct Swedish children had built a soundproofed bedroom, filled with toys, in the cellar of his house, it emerged on Friday.
Norwegian police released images of the cellar that the man had built in his home in the Vestoppland region of Norway, after arresting the 40-year-old in May with help from Swedish police.
At the time the man was arrested, it was suspected that he had driven in a rental car to the homes of at least 70 children in both Sweden and Norway, whose addresses he had found on social media.
The walls had been covered with carpets. Photo: Norwegian Police
On a GPS system the police found in his possession, many of his routes had been planned, often citing the names of the children living there.
He was also in possession of an electroshock weapon, which can be used to stun others into unconsciousness.
“The man who is charged has uncovered the names of the children using social media. He has rented a car more than 50 times and travelled to the addresses,” Julie Dalsveen of the Vestoppland police district told Norway's TV2 broadcaster.
“Some people abuse information that is on the internet. It is important that parents consider this and think about what they are doing,” she warned.
Toys and teddy bears in the room. Photo: Norwegian Police
At first glance, the images look like photos of an ordinary child's bedroom, with Super Mario bed linen, a teddy bear on a book shelf, a bunk bed and a TV.
But on closer inspection, the walls are covered with carpets to block out any noise, making the room almost completely soundproof.
“The room is suitable for holding children over time. There is a set of beds intended for children, as well as toilet that could be used. There is Lego on the shelves and a refrigerator with some food,” Dalsveen said.
Police also found a truncheon, a taser and sexual images of children when they searched the property.
The man has been released from custody awaiting trial.
“He has explained everything to the police,” the man's lawyer Harald Stabell told Norway's VG newspaper. “It is correct that he had a truncheon like that.”
A refrigerator had been installed in the room. Photo: Norwegian Police
Dalsveen is not sure if the man can be charged with attempting to abduct children.
“It raises concerns, but we have not uncovered anything that proves that anything illegal happened in that room or at the addresses that were saved on the GPS,” Dalsveen told the Dagbladet newspaper.
Comments
See Also
Norwegian police released images of the cellar that the man had built in his home in the Vestoppland region of Norway, after arresting the 40-year-old in May with help from Swedish police.
At the time the man was arrested, it was suspected that he had driven in a rental car to the homes of at least 70 children in both Sweden and Norway, whose addresses he had found on social media.
The walls had been covered with carpets. Photo: Norwegian Police
On a GPS system the police found in his possession, many of his routes had been planned, often citing the names of the children living there.
He was also in possession of an electroshock weapon, which can be used to stun others into unconsciousness.
“The man who is charged has uncovered the names of the children using social media. He has rented a car more than 50 times and travelled to the addresses,” Julie Dalsveen of the Vestoppland police district told Norway's TV2 broadcaster.
“Some people abuse information that is on the internet. It is important that parents consider this and think about what they are doing,” she warned.
Toys and teddy bears in the room. Photo: Norwegian Police
At first glance, the images look like photos of an ordinary child's bedroom, with Super Mario bed linen, a teddy bear on a book shelf, a bunk bed and a TV.
But on closer inspection, the walls are covered with carpets to block out any noise, making the room almost completely soundproof.
“The room is suitable for holding children over time. There is a set of beds intended for children, as well as toilet that could be used. There is Lego on the shelves and a refrigerator with some food,” Dalsveen said.
Police also found a truncheon, a taser and sexual images of children when they searched the property.
The man has been released from custody awaiting trial.
“He has explained everything to the police,” the man's lawyer Harald Stabell told Norway's VG newspaper. “It is correct that he had a truncheon like that.”
A refrigerator had been installed in the room. Photo: Norwegian Police
Dalsveen is not sure if the man can be charged with attempting to abduct children.
“It raises concerns, but we have not uncovered anything that proves that anything illegal happened in that room or at the addresses that were saved on the GPS,” Dalsveen told the Dagbladet newspaper.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.