Cagnes-sur-Mer: an explosive device discovered behind the door of a dwelling during a police operation

Le Figaro Nice

The police carried out a substantial operation, Thursday afternoon in Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes), to proceed with the eviction of an individual from his home because of unpaid rents. Behind the door of the apartment was an incendiary and explosive device, Le Figaro learned from a police source, confirming information from Nice-Matin.

The wanted man was not inside but was arrested at his place of work, in a neighboring town, in La Colle-sur-Loup. He was taken into custody for "attempting to destroy property by a means dangerous to persons", "attempted assassination of a person holding public authority" and "attempted murder of a public or ministerial officer".

Following this discovery, the police evacuated the inhabitants of the building concerned, Avenue de Bréguières, east of the town. 25 people were brought to safety and a perimeter was cordoned off to let the demining team intervene. Shortly before 15 p.m., the operation was over and all risk was eliminated.

" READ ALSO In Cagnes-sur-Mer, a new agreement to facilitate evictions from social housing

More than 20,000 euros in unpaid rents

The individual, aged about fifty, had installed at the entrance of his home several canisters connected by electric wires. In a statement, the prosecutor of the Republic of Grasse, Damien Savarzeix, said that the police, unable to open, passed through the balcony of the neighbor. From there, they saw "a suspicious device affixed to the door," he wrote. Before specifying the equipment: "An explosive device consisting of a trigger, a jerry can of diesel and a gas canister. An electrocution device was also affixed to the windows and bay windows.

This competition of the police was authorized by the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes following many unpaid rents to author 20,765 euros (to which must be added 21,880 euros of procedural costs), learned Le Figaro. A payment order had already been issued at the end of June 2021 and the owner had to summon him in summary proceedings. At the hearing in March 2022, the tenant had assured that he would move within two months. He had not left the premises despite this promise. Hence this police operation to expel him and this discovery. An investigation was opened by the departmental security.