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CANNES — An armed man stole jewels with an estimated value of US$53 million in a brazen heist in broad daylight at a diamond exhibition in the French Riviera resort of Cannes yesterday, investigators said. The hold-up, at the Carlton Hotel on the promenade in Cannes, famous for its annual film festival, would be the second largest ever in France if the value of the jewels is confirmed. Authorities said the robbery took place around 11:30am local time (0930 GMT) and targeted an exhibition entitled “Extraordinary Diamonds” by the Leviev jewellery house. However, prosecutors later said the figure of 40 million euros should be treated with caution.
“The estimate of 40 million is not confirmed. It was given out in the beginning but an inventory is in progress. It’s a preliminary estimate. It is not reliable,” prosecutors from Grasse said.
According to prosecutors, the gunman was wearing a “bandana or scarf” and a cap and was brandishing an automatic weapon. He escaped with several satchels of jewels as well as diamond-encrusted watches, the prosecutors’ office added. — AFP.
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