Paris at gunpoint.
A gang of robbers, two of whom were arrested by the police, robbed the Bulgari jewelery shop in Place Vendome, in the chic lounge of the French capital, today for an estimated loot of around ten million euros.
"The police, informed around 12 of a possible robbery in Place Vendome, set off in search of a car with three occupants and two scooters", reported a police source while on Twitter, the Préfecture de Police pays tribute to the " responsiveness "of the agents in this high-risk operation in the heart of Paris.
Known throughout the world for the beauty of its palaces and the Napoleonic column built on the model of the Trajan's column in Rome, Place Vendome is one of the most important squares in the French capital, home to numerous jewelers and ultra-luxury shops as well as the famous Hotel Ritz , recently restored and of the Ministry of Justice. According to sources close to the investigation, the spoils of the coup from Bulgari amount to about 10 million euros.
The vehicle in which the robbers fled, a gray BMW, was found abandoned after a chase with the police in the center of the capital. During the escape, writes Le Parisien, the alleged perpetrators would have circulated on the sidewalk. A police officer opened fire and wounded one of the robbers in the leg, who was then stopped by the officers. A second man was also arrested, taking refuge in the underground parking of the central Forum des Halles, while the other members of the gang, at least six according to Le Parisien, are still on the run.
The investigation into "armed robbery in an organized gang" and "criminal association" was entrusted to the Crime Brigade (Brb) of the judicial police. This summer, Paris has already been marred by two major robberies. On July 27th, a man on an electric scooter bought up at a store of the Chaumet jewelers. Estimated loot: € 2 million. He was stopped the next day together with his accomplice, with the almost complete recovery of the stolen goods. Three days later, two men armed with an electric shock pistol and a tear gas bomb stole € 400,000 worth of jewelry from a Dinh Van boutique.