Armed robbers have seized millions of euros worth of merchandise from a jewellery shop at the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris.<\/p>\n
Five men armed with axes smashed a window at the shop inside the hotel at about 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT), French media report.<\/p>\n
Three men have been arrested, police said, while others remain on the run.<\/p>\n
It is not clear whether any of the loot, estimated to be worth more than \u20ac4m (\u00a33.5m), was recovered.<\/p>\n
The luxurious five-star Ritz is located in Place Vend\u00f4me, in Paris’ historical first district on the right bank of the river Seine. The ministry of justice lies next door.<\/p>\n
The hotel includes a gallery shopping area near its rear entrance, which it says hosts five shops and 95 “showcases”, selling jewellery, watches and luxury clothing.<\/p>\n
Local newspaper Le Parisien, citing a police source, reports that the robbery was interrupted by an officer on patrol, but two people escaped on a motorised scooter.<\/p>\n
The city’s police commissioner issued a statement on Twitter thanking officers for their quick reactions, which led to the arrest of three men.<\/p>\n
Interior Minister G\u00e9rard Collomb also offered praise, saying they were “a credit to our police”.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police presence in the area.<\/p>\n
One hotel employee told the AFP news agency: “We heard a loud noise and lots of racket in the street”.<\/p>\n
“Passers-by took refuge in the hotel. We didn’t know what was going on until someone told us there had been a robbery.”<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"