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🇫🇷 France /Crime & Justice

Saudi National, Housekeeper Held Captive in French Château Robbery

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Three or four individuals broke into a Saudi national's château in Yvelines, France, during the night, stealing an estimated 30,000 euros.
  • The 72-year-old Saudi man and his housekeeper were tied up but not physically harmed during the robbery.
  • An investigation is underway for armed robbery, conspiracy, and kidnapping, with authorities considering the possibility of the estate's caretaker's involvement.

Investigators are probing a daring overnight home invasion at a château in Yvelines, France, where a 72-year-old Saudi national and his housekeeper were held captive. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday when three to four intruders, who appeared familiar with the estate, forced their way into the residence. The victims were bound and robbed of an estimated 30,000 euros in valuables. Fortunately, neither the Saudi owner nor his housekeeper sustained physical injuries during the ordeal.

The loot is estimated at 30,000 euros.

— Source close to the investigationProviding an estimate of the stolen goods.

The housekeeper managed to free herself around 5:30 a.m. and was found disoriented on a public road by emergency services. The Versailles prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into charges including armed robbery, organized crime conspiracy, and kidnapping. The specialized Brigade for the Repression of Banditry (BRB) is leading the investigation.

The housekeeper managed to free herself from her bonds.

— Source close to the investigationDescribing the housekeeper's escape and subsequent discovery.

Adding a layer of suspicion, investigators are looking into the estate's caretaker, who was absent during the robbery. Sources close to the investigation suggest the caretaker did not appear entirely comfortable during initial questioning, leading authorities to consider his potential involvement or complicity. Compounding the investigation's challenges, the château's surveillance system was reportedly out of order at the time of the incident.

armed robbery, association of criminals in an organized group and kidnapping and sequestration

— Versailles prosecutor's officeListing the charges being investigated.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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