Hotel Security, Police Intercept Burglary of Ritz Hotel in Paris

Hotel Security, Police Intercept Burglary of Ritz Hotel in Paris

An organized burglary of Paris' Ritz Hotel was disrupted by hotel security measures and the police on Wednesday night.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Jan 12, 2018

At attempt to steal millions of euros worth of gems and jewelry from the Ritz Hotel in Paris was disrupted on Wednesday night by hotel security and police.

The robbery, which was audacious in nature given the five-star hotel's close proximity to France's Ministry of Justice, began when a gang of thieves with axes burst into the hotel's lobby through the back entrance and went straight for the jewelry cases on the ground floor.

The robbers were able to steal at least $4.8 million euros worth of jewels inside the hotel, but hotel security triggered an alarm that trapped three of the five men inside the shop.

Police entered the hotel from the back and fired at the trapped suspects with "Taser-type guns" before arresting them. The three suspects were in their twenties, according to police.

The remaining two remaining men escaped with the jewels, French police said. Authorities could not confirm if they got away with everything that they attempted to steal. Police said at least one man appeared to be waiting for them at an exit and that he and another suspect escaped on a scooter via rue Cambon. The scooter hit a passerby, who was not hospitalized.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb praised the police response. "Armed robbery at the Ritz: Three suspects already arrested by officers from the 2nd arrondissement. Their calm, their professionalism and their swift response is a credit to the Police," he posted on Twitter.

The Ritz Hotel is situated in the Place Vendome in Paris, the site of several popular city landmarks, including the Louvre an dthe Jardin des Tuileries. The hotel has an on-site shopping gallery of five-high end boutiques near the back entrance, right next to the Bar Hemingway. The gallery also features 95 showcases, located from the front lobby all the way back to the gallery, displaying luxury goods.

This is the second major jewel heist in a major European city in a week. Last week, thieves made a daytime heist of valuable gems and jewelry from the Qatari royal collection at an exhibition in Venice, Italy.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

  • Live From ISC West 2024: Post-Show Recap

    ISC West 2024 is complete. And from start to finish, the entire conference was a huge success with almost 30,000 people in attendance. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

  • ISC West 2024 is a Rousing Success

    The 2024 ISC West security tradeshow marked a pivotal moment in the industry, showcasing cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to address evolving security challenges. Exhibitors left the event with a profound sense of satisfaction, as they witnessed a high level of engagement from attendees and forged valuable connections with potential clients and partners. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3