Sunday, July 28, 2013

"Cannes Thief Nabs $53 Million Worth of Jewels and Diamonds"

We seem to be on the loathsome creature beat this weekend.*
From the Atlantic Wire:

The year has been a bad one for bold jewelry heists along the beautiful walkways and beaches in Frances' playground for the rich and famous. But the latest one is the biggest and boldest yet because of the crime's simplicity and scale.

The Associated Press reports a "staggering" $53 million worth of jewels and diamonds belonging to Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev. The jewelry was lifted from the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel, in broad daylight, around 11:45 a.m. Sunday morning. Leviev's jewels were on loan until the end of the summer for a temporary exhibit at the hotel, which is said to be located on one of the nicest strips in the whole city. It was one of "Europe's biggest jewelry heists in recent years," according to the AP, and it was all allegedly pulled off by one man:
[Police] could not confirm local media reports that the robber was a single gunman who stuffed a suitcase with the gems. The spokesman spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter on the record.
One suspect walking away with $53 million in jewels in broad daylight is a heck of a feat. Whether or not that suspect gets away with it before being caught by the authorities, or someone else, remains to be seen....MORE
*More on Jon Corzine and MF Global
'Pink Panther' jewel thief breaks out of Swiss jail (340 robberies, 330 million euros [£280m] booty)