Parisian Apple Store Robbed of 1 Million Euros in Merchandise on New Year's Eve

The Apple Store Opéra in Paris, France was robbed by four masked gunmen on New Year's Eve. The thieves made off with more than 1 million euros worth of iPhones and iPads.

Opera gallery image5

Christophe Crepin, an Unsa police union official, told Le Parisien newspaper that 'the four hooded and heavily armed criminals made their move very quickly. Most of the police forces were being mobilised to monitor the Champs Elysees, so the robbers have clearly benefitted from this opportunity to strike.'

Mr Crepin said the robbers mainly took 'a lot of goods' and very little money. Early estimates were that the haul was worth well over 1 million euros, or close to 1 million pounds.

With Apple gadgets fetching such a high price on the secondary market, thefts of individual devices in muggings are common. However, organized robberies on Apple Retail Stores are more uncommon.

The Covent Garden location in London was attacked by a group of armed motorcycle riders in 2011, while an Apple Store employee was shot at a Virginia Apple Store back in 2009. Smash and grabs are more common, with thieves using vehicles to crash through the barricades at outdoor stores to steal merchandise.

Top Rated Comments

mw360 Avatar
167 months ago
Security probably had their Do-Not-Disturb on....
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jlgolson Avatar
167 months ago
Thanks for the credit after I emailing you the story lads!
OK, here's the thanks for everyone who wrote in (first at the top):

Thanks Florian!
Thanks Popescu!
Thanks Franck!
Thanks Floris!
Thanks Den!
Thanks Chris!
Thanks Michael!
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Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
barkomatic Avatar
167 months ago
Missing from the story is the part where Apple files a lawsuit against Samsung over the theft.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Defender2010 Avatar
167 months ago
Isn't this news 2 days old already?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mike MA Avatar
167 months ago
I know what the mayor of Paris will soon be saying about their crime index.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mw360 Avatar
167 months ago
Thanks for the credit after I emailing you the story lads!

What exactly did you do that was so heroic we all need to know about it?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)