Paris: Man armed with knife enters Health Ministry, steals computers

A man armed with a knife gained unauthorized access to the French Ministry of Health in Paris early Friday morning, stealing seven computers before being arrested. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. at the ministry's building on Avenue Duquesne in the 7th arrondissement.

The intruder reportedly entered through a normally locked emergency exit. He proceeded to the first floor, searching approximately forty offices. Security agents spotted him on surveillance footage and pursued him. The man brandished his knife when confronted by security personnel before fleeing back through the emergency exit.

An alert was immediately issued to police patrols. A patrol unit located the fleeing suspect and, upon arrival, discovered he had discarded two bags containing the seven stolen professional computers. A lock-picking kit was also found among his belongings. The man was subsequently placed under arrest and taken into custody.

Authorities have not yet determined the suspect's motives. Initial reports indicate he was already subject to a ban from entering Paris as part of judicial supervision, though the specific reason for this restriction has not been disclosed. The investigation is ongoing.