Ritz Paris robbery: jewels worth million stolen in heist

Valuable possessions need proper care and security to prevent ruination and theft. But despite the advanced security systems, robbery still occurs.

Armed robbers made off with millions of euros worth of jewelry after smashing the windows of the world-famous Ritz hotel in Paris on Wednesday (Jan 10), police said, adding that three suspects had been detained.

Two suspected thieves were still on the run, according to a police source, who said the value of the items taken was “several million euros”.

The five men armed with hatchets arrived at the hotel in Paris’ luxurious Place Vendome around 6.30pm (1.30am on Thursday, Singapore time) before smashing the windows on the ground floor and making off with the jewels.

“World-famous jewelers display their jewelry at the Ritz,” a police source said.

Three of the gang were detained while fleeing the scene and an international news agency journalist said some roads around the hotel were sealed off by security forces following the incident.

Local newspaper, citing a police source, reports that the robbery was interrupted by an officer on patrol, but two people escaped on a motorized scooter.

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The city’s police commissioner issued a statement on Twitter thanking officers for their quick reactions, which led to the arrest of three men.

“We heard a loud noise and lots of racket in the street,” one hotel employee told the international news agency. “Passers-by took refuge in the hotel. We didn’t know what was going on until someone told us there had been a robbery.”

Another employee said he saw a motorbike speed along a road at the back of the hotel after the break-in.

The five-star Ritz is one of the French capital’s best-known hotels. It has a shopping gallery selling designer clothes and jewelry.

Place Vendome, with its opulent window displays, has been the scene of several audacious daytime raids.

 Other robberies

In March 2016, two robbers stole an estimated six million euros worth of jewels from luxury fashion brand Chopard after threatening employees with a gun and grenade.

Three men were charged in connection with that heist.

The French capital’s most high-profile recent jewelry theft was carried out in October 2016 against US reality television star Kim Kardashian.

Five men, some wearing jackets with police insignia, held Kardashian at gunpoint, making off with several pieces of gold and diamond jewelry as well as a ring – a total estimated worth of nine million euros.

One of the robbers, fleeing the scene on a bicycle, dropped a diamond-encrusted cross worth 30,000 euros, which was found by a passer-by a few hours later.

It remains the only piece to be recovered from the heist.