Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Harry Winston: Armed robbers take several million euros in ‘Jeweler to the Stars’ Paris heist

This is not the first time the luxury store has been robbed

Via AP news wire
Sunday 19 May 2024 17:46 EDT
France Armed Robbery
France Armed Robbery (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Armed robbers used a motorbike as a battering ram to make off with several million euros worth of valuables in a heist of the luxury Paris boutique of self-declared “Jeweller to the Stars” Harry Winston.

The French prosecutor’s office overseeing the police probe confirmed the news on Sunday.

Having originally refused on Saturday to confirm that Harry Winston was the target, the Paris prosecutor’s office did so on Sunday, saying the dazzling, by-appointment store on Avenue Montaigne was robbed by a gang of at least three people.

They “forced entry to the jewellery store using a two-wheeler. They stole jewellery from several windows, while one of them kept watch”, carrying a long-barrelled firearm, the prosecutor’s office said.

People stand by the entrance of the Harry Winston jewelry after a robbery in Paris, Saturday, May 18, 2024
People stand by the entrance of the Harry Winston jewelry after a robbery in Paris, Saturday, May 18, 2024 (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

As they sped away, they pointed the firearm “in the direction of police officers, who had to put an end to their pursuit”, it said.

“The damage, currently being assessed, is several million euros,” it said.

Harry Winston did not reply to emailed questions from The Associated Press.

This is not the first time the luxury store has been robbed.

Eight people were convicted in 2015 in connection with a spectacular 2008 hold-up in which three cross-dressing gunmen stole about 92 million dollars (£72.4 million) in goods.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in