Jewelry News
25 Arrested for Harry Winston Jewelry Heist
June 24, 2009 |
||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
French
police arrested 25 suspects Monday in connection with last year's
multimillion-dollar robbery at Harry Winston jewelers and recovered some of the
stolen
rings,
necklaces
and
watches.
The robbers, some dressed as women and wearing wigs, grabbed $118 million worth
of loot
back
on Dececember 5th; it was one of France's largest jewelry thefts.
According to the Associated Press, French investigators and police had been watching suspects in and around Paris for months. On Sunday, they learned foreigners were on their way to collect some of the booty and decided to swoop in before the exchange could take place. Arrests were made on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, police said.
The suspects range in age from 22 to 67 and include some women. Police also recovered shoulder weapons, as well as $345,000 in cash.
Members of the Pink Panthers gang that operates out of the Balkans and have been involved in some other high-profile jewel thefts were originally suspects, but they appear to have been ruled out, police said.
While your own jewelry collection may not be at risk of a Pink Panther scheme, it never hurts to be overly cautious when it comes to protecting your treasure chest.
Read Jewelry.com's tips on the best way to protect yourself from the bad guys.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for even more up-to-date jewelry musings.