Thieves steal suitcase with 8.5 million euros worth of valuables inside at Barcelona airport
A thief snatched a suitcase at Barcelona Airport, allegedly not knowing there were 8.5 million euros worth of valuables inside it, including jewellery, watches, and cash.
A wealthy Russian family were in a queue in the check-in area at Terminal 1, when they left a small white Louis Vuitton suitcase unattended for “a few seconds” last Wednesday 26th July, which was taken by someone taking advantage of the large crowds queuing at the time, and, according to police, in an area where similar thefts have occurred recently.
The family immediately went to the airport police station, and it was at that moment after they filed the complaint and described what was inside the suitcase, that officers realised the enormous scale of the theft.
According to the police statement from the family, the case contained, among other belongings, a diamond ring and earrings worth 4.5 million and 500,000 euros respectively, a Chanel brooch worth 750,000; a Bulgari watch worth 800,000 euros, a Chopard watch valued at 45,000; and more than 20,000 euros in cash.
The airport police investigation unit identified the culprit within minutes of looking at the airport's CCTV footage which showed the man snatching the bag and then heading to a parking area where an accomplice was waiting for him in a rental car.
The cameras revealed the number plate of the vehicle and the Mossos regional police force alerted all units so they could locate it. Just under three hours after the theft, a patrol located and stopped the car on the AP-7 highway, near Salt, Girona.
The officers recovered all of the cash and valuables belonging to the Russian family and arrested the two alleged thieves who are now in custody awaiting trial.
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