PARIS: A staggering 40 million ($53 million) worth of diamonds and other jewels were stolen on Sunday from the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel in Cannes, in one of Europe's biggest jewellery heists in recent years, police said.
The hotel in the sweltering French Riviera was hosting a temporary jewellery exhibit over the summer from the prestigious Leviev diamond house, which is owned by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev.
A police spokesman said the theft took place around noon, but he could not confirm local media reports that the robber was a single gunman who stuffed a suitcase with the gems before making a swift exit. Media reports said that a man carrying an automatic pistol, wearing gloves, his face hidden by a scarf, burst into the hotel in late morning and demanded to be handed several bags containing jewels and diamond-encrusted watches. The spokesman spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter.
Several police officers were placed in front of the Carlton exhibition room to prevent journalists and photographers gathered at the scene from entering.
The luxury Carlton hotel is situated on the exclusive Promenade de la Croisette and is thronged by the rich and famous throughout the year. The hotel's position provides not only a beautiful view of the sea, but an easy get away for potential jewel thieves along the long stretch of road.
The valuable gems were supposed to be on public display until the end of August. It was not immediately clear how many pieces were stolen.
Several brazen jewellery thefts have taken place this year, including one in Belgium on February 18 that involved some $50 million worth of diamonds. In May, Cannes was struck by two jewellery heists during the Cannes Film Festival.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Jewel-thief-steals-gems-worth-53m-in-Cannes-at-gunpoint/articleshow/21443391.cms
The hotel in the sweltering French Riviera was hosting a temporary jewellery exhibit over the summer from the prestigious Leviev diamond house, which is owned by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev.
A police spokesman said the theft took place around noon, but he could not confirm local media reports that the robber was a single gunman who stuffed a suitcase with the gems before making a swift exit. Media reports said that a man carrying an automatic pistol, wearing gloves, his face hidden by a scarf, burst into the hotel in late morning and demanded to be handed several bags containing jewels and diamond-encrusted watches. The spokesman spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter.
Several police officers were placed in front of the Carlton exhibition room to prevent journalists and photographers gathered at the scene from entering.
The luxury Carlton hotel is situated on the exclusive Promenade de la Croisette and is thronged by the rich and famous throughout the year. The hotel's position provides not only a beautiful view of the sea, but an easy get away for potential jewel thieves along the long stretch of road.
The valuable gems were supposed to be on public display until the end of August. It was not immediately clear how many pieces were stolen.
Several brazen jewellery thefts have taken place this year, including one in Belgium on February 18 that involved some $50 million worth of diamonds. In May, Cannes was struck by two jewellery heists during the Cannes Film Festival.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Jewel-thief-steals-gems-worth-53m-in-Cannes-at-gunpoint/articleshow/21443391.cms
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