It had become a full time activity.
Ten perpetrators of theft at the door, aged 16 to 18, were arrested on Monday as part of a preliminary investigation.
They are accused of having committed 77 thefts by attacking motorists, often stranded in traffic jams, to steal their personal effects.
They operated in Saint-Denis between January 2019 and August 2020. It is the investigative brigade initiative of the Saint-Denis police station and its group theft and violence that is at the origin of this vast crackdown.
All were arrested at their homes.
A tenth individual was taken from Villepinte remand center where he is imprisoned in another case.
45,600 euros in damages
Most of the time, the criminals operated alone, in pairs or in threes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium.
They warned a motorist stopped at a red light and with the help of a flint smashed the window on the passenger side.
They were previously careful to spot the bag left carelessly in the front seat.
"Their victims were often women", indicates a source close to the investigation.
“It's a real shock.
At the end of these thefts, the victims retain a trauma, ”notes a police officer.
They grabbed the bag and took flight towards the stadium.
Their loot is impressive: cash, jewelry, etc.
The total loss is estimated at € 45,600.
They were able to make 17 fraudulent payments with the bank cards.
Multimedia equipment was found at the thieves' home, corresponding to the stolen objects, and the sum of € 900 was seized.
All were taken into custody.
They could last up to 96 hours because they acted in an organized gang.
