Justin Bieber's concert takings are STOLEN in South Africa as star falls victim to Ocean’s Eleven-style heist

Criminal gang dug their way into a cash storage room with concert's takings
Theft was discovered this morning after Sunday show in South Africa
On stage, Bieber had been serenading his mother for mother's day tribute

PUBLISHED: 11:58 EST, 13 May 2013 | UPDATED: 12:16 EST, 13 May 2013

Theft: A criminal gang made off with thousands of pounds from Justin Bieber's venue last night

Justin Bieber was the victim of a sophisticated Ocean's Eleven style cash heist while performing in South Africa on Sunday evening.

Hours after the singer finished performing at Johannesburg's FNB football stadium, a gang of criminals broke into the venue's secure cash storage room and took the concert's takings.

The gang are believed to have spent at least three days digging their way through the stadium strong room's double thick walls.

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They struck when it was full of cash from merchandise and refreshment stalls that operated both during Sunday evening's Justin Bieber concert and also a recent performance by Bon Jovi.

Today 94,000 capacity stadium was on lockdown as police, forensic experts and security company officials searched for clues into the daring heist.

A source told South Africa's Eyewitness News radio news service that, having gained access to the strong room, the gang used ropes to lower themselves through the hole and down a three metre drop.

The news service reported that the strong room remained littered with bricks and debris from the hole in the ceiling and that ropes still hung from the ceiling.

The suspects managed to make off without being detected.

Lonely no more: Justin Bieber planted a kiss on his mother Pattie Mallette as he serenaded her on stage for a Mother's Day tribute on Sunday

Sold-out show: Justin Bieber planted a kiss on his mother Pattie Mallette as he serenaded her on the night of the theft

On tour: Justin Bieber performing at the Cape Town Stadium, South Africa on his 'Believe' tour

The theft was only discovered on Monday morning. It is not known how much money was taken.

Police are reportedly working on the assumption that the heist was an inside job as the gang appear to have detailed knowledge of the stadium's security arrangements.

The iconic FNB Stadium - also known as Soccer City or The Calabash - is the largest sports stadium in Africa and was the centrepiece of South Africa's hosting of the 2010 football World Cup.

Bieber is on the latest leg of his Believe world tour and his sold out concert on Sunday went well apart from the backstage incident.

His Mother's Day tribute melted his fans' hearts when he surprised his mother Pattie Mallette with an on-stage serenade to his tune One Less Lonely Girl.

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My heart bleeds for him.

- mimiftw , UK, 13/5/2013 19:09

Click to rate Rating 3

ahahahahjaaha he has enough money already

- helenjennerjewel , On The Moon Or Some Other Universe Far Far Away, 13/5/2013 19:05

Click to rate Rating 9

No matter if you like him or not he worked hard for that money

- ELG , Leeds, 13/5/2013 19:05

Click to rate Rating 2

What an absolute shame! Well if the law doesn't start cracking down on the crooks in those countries then they will go downhill for sure because people just won't go there!

- Katherine , Pennsylvania, United States, 13/5/2013 18:58

Click to rate Rating 13

You have to admit a good old non violent Heist is an exciting way for the money to be stolen, I am sure they will catch them nevertheless...

- Matt46 , Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom, 13/5/2013 18:57

Click to rate Rating 29

Cool!

- NYC , NYC, 13/5/2013 18:53

Click to rate Rating 5

Haha oh what ever will he do. He will struggle now wont he. No wait thats the rest if us!!!

- highlight , birmingham, 13/5/2013 18:49

Click to rate Rating 5

It's hard to feel sorry for someone who has such average talent, such a massive ego, is ridiculously annoying, constantly acts like a deluded little brat and already has more money than he should ever have.

- me , uk, United Kingdom, 13/5/2013 18:47

Click to rate Rating 12

its a shame they stole money from vendors and it wasn't ticket money instead

- Mohammed , London, 13/5/2013 18:45

Click to rate Rating 15

That's unfair, not for Justin but the lesser-payed workers who put 99% of the show together like the cleaners, builders and choreographers. I hope they all get their money.

- lucybella , London, 13/5/2013 18:42

Click to rate Rating 25

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