Movie-style robbery in Saint-Tropez, tourist robbed of a $300,000 watch

Organized gangs targeting wealthy tourists on the Côte d’Azur appear to be back in action, as French authorities report a series of luxury jewelry and watch thefts in one of the French Riviera’s most popular destinations.

The latest case was recorded in Saint-Tropez, where four Spanish nationals were arrested on Saturday after allegedly stealing a watch worth around $300,000, or approximately €261,000, from a Brazilian tourist.

The theft occurred on Friday in Saint-Tropez, in southeastern France, a destination that attracts thousands of tourists during the summer, including celebrities and high-income visitors.

According to the Var prefecture police, the Brazilian tourist stated that his watch was worth $300,000. Following the suspects’ arrest, the luxury watch was recovered and returned to its owner.

After the theft, the four suspects allegedly fled in a vehicle, prompting French authorities to immediately launch an operation to apprehend them.

According to the newspaper Nice Matin, police conducted a pursuit on the roads around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The four suspects were located and arrested in the town of Cogolin, near Saint-Tropez, before being taken into custody. The stolen watch was seized and returned to the Brazilian tourist.

Around 15 luxury watches stolen this summer

The incident is part of a broader phenomenon that is concerning French authorities during the tourist season. Organized groups are targeting wealthy tourists on the Côte d’Azur, stealing high-value watches and jewelry.

According to French police, around 15 luxury watches have been stolen in the area since the beginning of this summer.

So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with four of these cases, while investigations into the other thefts are ongoing.

In response to the increase in cases, authorities have strengthened their presence in the Saint-Tropez area. The Gassin-Saint-Tropez gendarmerie unit has been reinforced this year with a detachment from the Central Office for the Fight Against Delinquency (OCLDI).

The specialized forces are focusing particularly on investigating luxury watch thefts and identifying organized groups that have made wealthy tourists their main target during the summer season.

“KORÇA BOOM”