Stolen jewels found in Paris drain
French police uncover $25m worth of valuables stolen in a spectacular heist more than two years ago.
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| Harry Winston is an exclusive jewellers shop off the Champs Elysees in central Paris [EPA] |
French police have found stolen jewels worth $25m in a drain in Paris, authorities have said, marking the recovery of valuables taken in a spectacular hesit more than two years ago.
About 19 rings, including one worth $8.3m, and three sets of earrings, were found in a plastic container set in a cement mould, inside a drain at a house in Seine-Saint-Denis.
They were part of an $118m haul stolen in a record burglary from luxury jeweller Harry Winston off the Champs Elysees in the centre of Paris on December 4, 2008.
Thieves, some dressed up as women and wearing wigs, carried out the robbery in the space of 15 minutes, as Christmas shoppers strolled outside.
Police previously recovered some of the stolen rings, necklaces and watches when 25 people were detained and questioned in June 2009.
Nine people were charged over the theft, including the suspected mastermind, who had already been sentenced to 15 years in prison in a drug trafficking case.