Paris Apple Store Robbed At Gunpoint On New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, whilst most of the world was out enjoying festivities to usher in 2013, a band of armed robbers invaded the Apple store in central Paris. Fortunately, the store was closed, and there aren't any reports of anyone being hurt. While nothing official has been stated, reports show that the robbers nabbed over $1,000,000 worth of items.

The robbery was performed by four robbers, who wore masks and wielded handguns. They managed to enter via a secondary entrance when the janitor left for the night at around 9pm, causing the janitor minor injuries in the process. Once inside, they jumped the security guard and ransacked the place, taking boxes of items over the course of approximately 40 minutes. Once finished, they jumped in a van and left.

There's no official numbers on what was taken and how much it all was worth; current numbers being tossed around are estimates, and won't be finalized until after an inventory review is performed. Some news outlets are reporting that five thieves may have been involved. A spokesperson for the police union is reported as having said that there were four, however.

Christophe Crepin offered this statement. "They were well prepared. As the majority of police were busy watching the Champs Elysées, the robbers took advantage of this opportunity." Meanwhile, an unnamed law enforcement source is reported to have told the Telegraph: "A police presence is put in place every New Year's near the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero and Champs-Elyséees, but that doesn't intervene at all with the regular security on duty in other parts of Paris."

[via The Guardian]