It is without doubt the most precious material in France today. The one who can save lives. Provided there are enough in hospitals. For 450 euros, a man nevertheless offered on the Leboncoin online site an emergency and transport respirator.
This Thursday evening, the alleged seller was arrested in front of the Paul-d'Egine private hospital in Champigny. He is a 29-year-old biomedical engineer working in this establishment. He was placed in police custody for concealing theft.
The classified ad was spotted by the police of the search and intervention brigade. They inform their colleagues in Val-de-Marne immediately this Thursday. Shortly after, the police from the Champigny anti-crime brigade learned that a sale was to take place that same evening at 7 p.m. at the hospital.
Another respirator already sold?
Warned by the police, the director of the hospital did not return. Not only is this material obviously not intended for sale, but it is especially precious as the pandemic hits the country. For him in any case, it is very likely that this respirator comes from his hospital. Besides, he remembers that he saw one in a blue bag that one of his employees had placed in his office.
The police of the anti-crime brigade therefore place themselves in hideout to assist in the transaction. Shortly after 7 p.m., they spot the individual holding a blue satchel in his hand. They proceed without resistance to the arrest. Inside the bag, there is the model of the respirator corresponding to the classified ad.
Another police source said another respirator was found in the suspect's work locker. And a third has even been sold. According to our information, the engineer explained to the investigators that the equipment "was not used".