Overview
- Gendarmes arrested the group on November 10 in the Paris region and Alpes-Maritimes during an operation involving more than 60 officers.
- Investigators link the suspects to about 12 night-time break-ins across 12 departments with losses nearing €1 million.
- The probe began in Les Sables-d’Olonne and was taken over by the specialized Rennes prosecutor’s office, with SR Nantes, the OCLDI and the local brigade conducting inquiries.
- Thieves allegedly cut holes in roofs and used improvised fishing rods to hook and lift high-value bicycles for resale.
- No stolen bikes have been recovered so far, and shop owners describe major hits to inventory, including a case of 24 bikes worth €148,000.