Police hunt for jewels, thieves after Ritz robbery in Paris

Paris police on Thursday recovered most of the jewels stolen from the Ritz Hotel in a dramatic heist, but are still searching for two thieves and any remaining missing luxury merchandise.

The robbery on Wednesday evening raised questions about security in one of the world’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, the Place Vendome, whose well-guarded buildings include the Justice Ministry, high-end boutiques and the 19th century Ritz.

Workers cleaned up shattered glass Thursday morning and started to repair damage from the robbery. Otherwise business appeared to be returning to normal at the Ritz, with no significant increase in security.

Three perpetrators “entered by the service entrance, smashed the jewelry stands, grabbed jewels that were clearly expensive with the help of axes,” said JeanMichel Huguet of police union Alliance Police Nationale.

They seized watches from display cases holding wares from Rolex and Piaget, and then targeted the Reza jewelry boutique inside the hotel.

The suspects inside threw bags of goods out a window to at least two accomplices outside, according to a police official. The three inside were then blocked when they tried to flee through another door, and quickly arrested, the official said.

The accomplices outside fled, one on a motorcycle and another in a car. The motorcyclist dropped a bag with jewels and hatchets when his motorcycle hit a pedestrian during his escape.

The pedestrian was lightly injured, said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation.