Stefan Eriksson

Bo Stefan M. Eriksson (born 14 December, 1961) is a Swedish criminal from Uppsala, Sweden, involved in the UK gaming company Gizmondo until it became insolvent in 2005. In 2006 he became known for wrecking an Ferrari Enzo in southern California.

Early life

Eriksson became known by the Swedish police as "Tjock-Steffe" ("Fat Steve") or as "The Banker" by the local mob in the city of Uppsala, some 60 km north of Stockholm. An auto body shop worker, he started his criminal career with thefts and a three-month prison term in 1981, followed in 1988 by another term of 3½ years for cocaine and arms related convictions.]

In the early 90s, Eriksson became the head of a group the Swedish press dubbed "Uppsalamaffian" (the "Uppsala mafia" or "Uppsala mob"),] responsible for some high-profile violent crimes rarely seen in the country. Known as a playboy, he often showed off a ] and Karney borrowed a phone in a passerby's car where he tucked away a magazine for a Glock pistol.]

On March 29, 2006, Nicole Persson, Eriksson's fiance, was pulled over while driving a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. She was pulled over because the officer found the car's European license plate suspicious. It was discovered that Persson did not have a valid driver's license. The police found the car to be unregistered, carrying British license plates, and illegally exported from Britain. Further investigation revealed that the crashed red Enzo, a second black Enzo, and two other Mercedes-Benz cars were also unregistered and illegally exported. [ [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ferrari28feb28,0,3986184.story The Plot Thickens in Ferrari Crash] ] It was found that all five cars valued at $3.8 million were leased in Britain. Moreover, lease payments for them had ceased; and that after the export, the Mercedes was reported stolen in Britain with insurance pay-out. Footage of Eriksson in his black Ferrari Enzo, shot by the founders of a car enthusiast website, car-parazzi.com, was held as evidence against him by European authorities.

Police investigation

Police raided Eriksson's Bel-Air home and on April 8, 2006. Eriksson, preparing to leave the US, was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement, grand theft auto, drunken driving, cocaine possession, and weapons charges stemming from a Magnum handgun encountered during the search. He initially faced up to 14 years in prison, which was later reduced in a plea bargain. In May, misdemeanor hit and run and driving without a California license and insurance were added in relation to a Porsche Cayenne allegedly driven by Eriksson rear-ending an SUV near his Bel-Air home on January fourth.]

On April 26, 2006, Eriksson's accomplice Carl Freer was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer, perjury, and other unspecified charges stemming from the discovery of 12 rifles and four handguns during searches of his estate and his convert|100|ft|m|sing=on yacht docked at Marina del Rey.]

On May 9, 2006, police raided the San Gabriel Valley Transit Authority (a minor bus service for area senior citizens), arresting its owner and confiscating guns, badges, and a vehicle equipped to be an unmarked police car.]

On November 3, 2006, a mistrial was declared, when the jury was deadlocked 10-2 toward convicting Eriksson. The prosecution has indicated their intent to retry the case. [http://www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2006/11/03/513019.html]

Eriksson accepted a plea bargain for three years in jail and deportation. He pleaded guilty to two counts of embezzlement and one count of illegal gun possession. He avoided an auto theft charge.] Eriksson was released from prison on January 21, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-fg-ferrari15may15,0,790067,full.story LA Times] Life in Fast Lane Long Before Ferrari Crash, Published May 15, 2006