France: Gold worth €12M stolen in audacious lab heist
What's the story
Six suspects have been arrested in connection with a daring heist at a precious metals laboratory in Lyon, France. The thieves used explosives and military-grade weapons to pull off the daytime raid, making off with an estimated €12 million worth of gold. The incident took place at Laboratoires Pourquery, where 28 employees were present at the time. Five employees sustained minor injuries from the explosion.
Heist details
Eyewitnesses describe the terrifying ordeal
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion and seeing several armed men during the robbery. One witness told Le Progres, "They blew out two security windows in the laboratory." Videos taken by residents showed suspects near a white van, with one throwing a ladder over the fence and another brandishing what appeared to be an assault rifle.
Arrests and evidence
Suspects detained shortly after the heist
The suspects were reportedly detained in the nearby town of Venissieux shortly after the heist. A woman believed to be an accomplice was also arrested. Police recovered assault rifles and explosives from the scene of the crime. This incident comes on the heels of another major theft at Paris's Louvre Museum earlier this month, where crown jewels worth €88 million were stolen.
Ongoing investigations
Similar robberies on the rise across France
The Louvre heist has now seen seven arrests, although the stolen jewels remain missing. The incident has also raised concerns about security at the museum. In addition to these high-profile cases, there have been other robberies targeting precious metals across France. Last month, thieves stole historic gold samples from Paris's Natural History Museum worth €600,000.