A major crackdown took place on Monday 10 October, leading to the arrest of people suspected of participating in watch robberies in Switzerland last winter, with arrests in the Loire and Rhone, particularly in the Gier Valley, following a letter of request entrusted to the Central Office for the fight against organized crime (Oclco), with the assistance of the DZPJ South-East, a police source told AFP on Saturday 15 October. In all, 14 people were arrested, we learned on Saturday from the specialized interregional court (Jirs) in Nancy.
At least four other men are the subject of a postponement warrant and will be presented to an investigating judge early next week, said Jirs of Nancy, who specializes in serious organized crime. Several other suspects were released after their police custody ended, with no word on whether they were ultimately charged with a crime or whether they will have to respond to a subsequent court subpoena. At the center of the investigation are two robberies of luxury watchmakers in Switzerland, one which took place in November 2021 and the other at the beginning of 2022.
70 kilos of precious metals (including 60 kilos of gold) in suitcases, two luxury watches
During the first, which took place in the Swiss Jura, several criminals left with 70 kilos of precious metals (including 60 kilos of gold) in suitcases, as well as two luxury watches destined for the winners of the 2021 Ballon d’Or, according to France Bleu Saint-Etienne Loire, who revealed the facts. The alarm, on the other hand, had surprised the thugs during the second case in which they had had to abandon the 200 kilos of gold collected and had exchanged fire with the police.
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Two men suspected of belonging to the same criminal organization and who could be the organizers of the robberies were later arrested in Doubs. During these two robberies, watchmakers or members of their families were taken hostage. According to the Jirs, all the suspects arrested are of French nationality, some are known to the courts and have family ties. More arrests could follow.
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