Six individuals have been arrested following a bold daytime robbery at a Lyon laboratory specializing in precious metals like gold. The thieves used explosives and military-grade weapons to carry out the raid, which lasted only minutes and resulted in an estimated €12 million (£10.5 million) in stolen goods. During the incident, 28 employees were present at Laboratoires Pourquery, with five sustaining minor injuries.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion as the thieves blew out two security windows. According to one account in Le Progrès, three or four men armed with Kalashnikov rifles and wearing fake armbands were seen loading a small van before escaping. Video footage showed two people in black near a white van outside the lab; one threw a ladder over the fence while another appeared to hold an assault rifle. Shortly after, another person climbed the ladder and tossed parcels over the fence. Police have not specified what was taken.
The suspects, described as experienced criminals, were quickly apprehended in the nearby town of Vénissieux. A woman believed to have assisted in the robbery was also arrested, and authorities seized assault rifles, handguns, and explosives. This was the second attempted robbery at the laboratory, following one in May.
This Lyon heist comes just days after a high-profile theft at the Louvre, where thieves stole crown jewels valued at around €88 million (£76 million). Among the items taken were an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his wife Marie Louise and a diadem with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds that belonged to Empress Eugénie. Seven arrests have been made, but the jewels remain missing. The Louvre’s director admitted that security camera coverage outside the museum was “highly insufficient,” sparking widespread concern.
These incidents have drawn attention to a series of robberies targeting precious metals across France. Last month, thieves broke into Paris’s Natural History Museum using an angle grinder and blowtorch, stealing historic gold samples worth €600,000. A 24-year-old Chinese national was later arrested in Barcelona in connection with the crime.
In early October, a museum in Mialet reported the theft of about 100 gold Huguenot crosses. Additionally, within 24 hours of the Louvre heist, several silver and gold coins from a collection dating back to 1790–1840 were stolen from Langres.
Jean d’Orleans, a descendant of French royalty whose great-grandmother once wore the stolen sapphire tiara, has appealed for the jewels’ return, emphasizing their importance as priceless heritage for France.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the French police arresting six suspects in the 12 million gold refinery heist designed with clear questions and direct answers
Basic Information The Event
1 What actually happened in this heist
A group of armed robbers attacked a gold refinery near Paris making off with an estimated 12 million worth of gold bars and other valuables
2 Where and when did this heist take place
It occurred at a refinery in the town of LignyleRibault south of Paris in the early hours of a morning in midSeptember 2023
3 Who was arrested
French police arrested six individuals suspected of being directly involved in planning and carrying out the robbery
4 Was anyone hurt during the robbery
Fortunately no employees or members of the public were physically injured during the heist
The Aftermath Investigation
5 Was any of the stolen gold recovered
Yes a significant portion of the stolen gold worth several million euros was recovered by police during the arrests and subsequent raids
6 How did the police catch the suspects so quickly
A combination of CCTV footage witness statements and swift forensic work allowed investigators to track the suspects vehicle and identify them
7 What charges do the suspects face
They are facing serious charges including armed robbery criminal conspiracy and likely receiving and handling stolen goods
8 Is this kind of heist common in France
While France has a history of dramatic heists a robbery of this scale and audacitytargeting a secure refineryis relatively rare
Deeper Questions Context
9 What is a gold refinery and why is it a target
A gold refinery is an industrial facility that processes raw gold into pure highvalue bars and products Its a prime target because it holds a massive concentration of extremely valuable and easily tradable metal in one place
10 What does armed heist mean in this context
It means the robbers were carrying firearms which they used to threaten and intimidate the security guards and staff to gain control of the facility
11 How do criminals typically try to sell stolen gold like this
They often try to melt it down to remove identifying marks and then sell it on the black market to unscrupulous dealers or mix it
