Luxury watches stolen in Cannes

Eight experts in luxury watch theft were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 4 years. The crimes were mainly committed in Cannes and Saint-Tropez. The criminals appeared in court on Tuesday February 13 on charges of robbery with violence and criminal conspiracy. They stole luxury watches from brands such as Rolex, Patek, Breguet, etc. on the Côte d’Azur. The most unusual theft involved a “Richard Mille” watch worth 100,000 euros, which was snatched from the wrist of Richard Mille himself on August 30, 2020 in Saint-Tropez!

Initially, the acts were considered as “organized gang” thefts, and fell under the jurisdiction of the Assize Court. However, this Tuesday, they are appearing for robbery with violence and criminal conspiracy before the Grasse criminal court.

Five of the eight defendants are present in the dock. One defendant is free to appear and two are on the run. All are from Tangiers, Morocco.

It all began with the theft of a Breguet watch worth 34,000 euros, snatched on August 31, 2020. Witnesses noticed the presence of a Spanish-registered Golf, which appeared to be driving the assailants. These facts were confirmed by video surveillance. Police intercepted the car with Mohamed E. and Rachid T. on board. The police were able to link all the protagonists by tapping their phones. In the phone of one of the accused, the investigators found a video showing two members of the group simulating a watch theft.

Gendarmes quickly made the connection with other snatch thefts in Saint-Tropez on August 30 and 25, 2020, and in Cannes on August 16.

From the facts of the case, the criminals appeared to be fairly well organized: two teams of four, each comprising two thieves and two “chauffeurs” who picked them up from the car. The victim was followed beforehand.

It’s not at all clear who’s doing what!

But on the stand, all of them changed their versions several times, and none of them admitted to the facts. Only Ismaël, 23, the youngest member of the gang, admitted to stealing a Patek watch on August 25, 2020 in Saint-Tropez. The court was annoyed by the great confusion between the protagonists. The public prosecutor’s office requested 3 to 4 years’ imprisonment.

Sentences of up to 4 years’ imprisonment Deliberation took place on Tuesday afternoon. The only defendant who admitted to the offences was sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment. The other defendants received sentences of 28 months’ imprisonment, 30 months’ imprisonment and 2 years’ imprisonment, 1 of which was suspended. The two defendants absent from court received 4 years’ imprisonment. One was recognized as the person who “snatched” the watches, the other as a “chauffeur”. One defendant was acquitted.