Daring daylight burglary at Oslos Glasmagasinet sparks city-wide manhunt

A daring daylight burglary at Oslo’s flagship Glasmagasinet department store on Sunday morning has left police scrambling to identify a suspect caught on camera smashing a display window and making off with an undisclosed haul of high-value goods. Witnesses described the intruder as a lone male in dark clothing who forced entry just after 04:30 local time, triggering alarms and drawing immediate attention from passers-by. Surveillance footage reviewed by *Aftenposten* shows the suspect using a heavy object to shatter the glass façade before disappearing into the city’s early-morning streets. “It was all over in under two minutes,” said café owner Lars Hansen, who filmed part of the incident from his window. “He moved fast, but the noise of the glass breaking was impossible to miss.”

Oslo police confirmed the break-in and launched a city-wide manhunt, with officers canvassing the area and reviewing CCTV from surrounding streets. “This was a brazen act in a high-traffic zone,” said Inspector Marianne Vold, spokesperson for Oslo Police District. “We urge anyone with footage or information to come forward immediately.” The burglary comes amid a broader surge in property crime across Norway, where reported burglaries rose by 12% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year . Experts attribute the trend to a combination of economic pressures and opportunistic theft, with thieves increasingly targeting urban retail hubs during off-hours.

The incident at Glasmagasinet—located on Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s busiest pedestrian thoroughfare—has reignited debates over urban security and the vulnerability of high-street stores. Retailers report that smash-and-grab tactics are becoming more common, with criminals exploiting gaps in surveillance coverage. “We’ve seen a worrying rise in these types of attacks,” said Nina Berg, director of the Norwegian Retailers’ Association. “Stores are investing in better alarms and window reinforcements, but the criminals are adapting quickly.” The association has called for stricter penalties for repeat offenders and increased police patrols in commercial districts.

While the full extent of the stolen goods remains unclear, local media speculate the haul may include luxury watches or electronics, items frequently targeted in similar heists. Police have not disclosed whether the suspect acted alone or if the burglary was premeditated. The case adds to a string of high-profile thefts in Norway’s capital, including a recent spate of bicycle thefts and a separate daytime robbery at a jewelry store in Majorstuen last month. As the investigation continues, authorities are appealing to the public for any dashcam or smartphone footage that might aid the search. “Time is of the essence,” Vold stressed. “The sooner we have leads, the better our chances of recovering the stolen property and bringing the perpetrator to justice.”