Axe gang steal €4.7m jewels in raid on Ritz Hotel in Paris
ARMED robbers stole €4.7million worth of jewellery during a raid at the Ritz Hotel in Paris last night.
The gang, wearing ski masks, opened fire as they stormed a jewellery store inside the hotel at 6.30pm local time.
After smashing open glass cases with axes and filling bags full of jewellery, the raiders fled just as police arrived.
One witness said: ‘Shots from what sounded like a handgun were heard. There were fears a terrorist attack was going on, but it soon became clear it was a robbery.
‘As they tried to get away, police officers arrived, and three of the robbers were pulled to the ground and arrested.
‘Two others got out the back door of the hotel and were seen running away and then getting on mopeds.’ Police said that noone was injured in the raid.
One tourist said: ‘My parents and I were sitting at the Hemingway bar in the Ritz and we were about to leave when we heard shouting from the bartenders to get down. We heard at least ten rounds of gunfire so everyone dived behind the bar.
‘We heard shouting and screaming from right outside the door.’
Among those caught up in the drama was the celebrated French writer Frédéric Beigbeder, 52, who was in the Hemingway bar.
The hotel is located beside the French Ministry of Justice, which is guarded by armed soldiers around the clock.