Two men suspected of having participated in watch robberies in Switzerland last winter have been indicted for criminal association after a major dragnet that led to the arrest of 14 people, we learned. Saturday of the specialized interregional jurisdiction (Jirs) of Nancy.
At least four other men are the subject of a warrant to bring and will be presented at the beginning of next week to an examining magistrate, specified the Jirs of Nancy, specialized in serious organized crime.
Several other suspects were released at the end of their police custody, without it being known if no facts were finally reproached to them or if they will have to answer a subsequent summons to justice.
Most of the arrests took place on Monday in the Loire and in the Rhône, in particular in the Gier valley, following a rogatory commission entrusted to the Central Office for the Fight against Organized Crime (Oclco), with the assistance of the DZPJ Southeast, said a police source.
Watches for the Ballons d’Or
Two luxury watch robberies in Switzerland, one of which took place in November 2021 and the other in early 2022, are at the heart of the investigations. During the first, which took place in the Swiss Jura, several criminals left with 70 kg of precious metals (including 60 kg of gold) in suitcases, as well as two luxury watches intended for the winners of the Ballon d’Or 2021, according to France Bleu Saint-Étienne Loire, which revealed the facts.
On the other hand, the alarm had surprised the thugs during the second case where they had to abandon the 200 kg of gold collected and had exchanged fire with the police. Two men suspected of belonging to the same criminal organization and who could be the organizers of the robberies, were then arrested in the Doubs.
During these two robberies, hostage-taking of watchmakers or members of their families had taken place. According to the Jirs, all the suspects arrested are of French nationality, some are known to the courts and have family ties. Other arrests could follow.