It seems like jewelry heists are getting bolder over time.
The Carlton Intercontinental Hotel in Cannes was the scene of a daring crime last July 28, a Sunday. Police say almost 40 million euro ($53 million) worth of diamonds and other jewels were stolen from this French Riviera hotel, resulting in one of the biggest European jewelry thefts in recent memory. The stolen jewelry were part of a summer exhibit of the Leviev Diamond House, and were supposed to be up on display until August.
Local media was abuzz with reports about a lone gunman who executed the theft, but a spokesman for the police refuse to confirm these reports.
Cannes is no stranger to jewelry heists. The recent Cannes Film Festival last May witnessed two much-publicized thefts. The first one took place in the Novotel room of an employee of Chopard (the Swiss watch company). The wall safe was ripped off by robbers. They made away with around $1 million worth of jewelry meant to be on loan to red-carpet celebrities attending the festival. The second Cannes-related theft happened at another hotel surrounded by dozens of security staff. The stolen piece of jewelry was worth at least 2 million euros (around $2.6 million). Reports say it was a De Grisogono necklace.
This playground of well-heeled people is fast proving itself to be a jewel thief’s paradise, as well. For instance, the Carlton hotel can be found on the prestigious Promenade de la Croisette on the French Riviera. It is positioned in such a way as to give guests a gorgeous vista of the sea. However, its location also makes it easy for thieves to stay hidden and make a quick getaway without being immediately detected.
