Six Suspects Apprehended Following €12M Heist on Gold Refining Lab in France

A group of six individuals using military-grade weapons employed explosives to break into a precious metals processing plant located in the city of Lyon, resulting in minor injuries to five employees during what appears to be the newest significant broad daylight robbery to occur in the country.

The daring raid took place on Thursday late morning, with police forces rapidly detaining the alleged criminals and securing the stolen items valued at approximately €12M (£10.5M), as stated by authorities.

Five staff members of the precious metals facility received light wounds from the blast, and three employees were taken to a medical facility for assessment, according to regional authorities. Twenty-eight employees were present on-site when the perpetrators raided.

Those arrested, thought to be career criminals, were arrested soon afterwards in the nearby town of the town of Vénissieux, a source close to the investigation stated.

A female participant who took part in the raid was also apprehended, according to law enforcement.

“Six suspects who employed explosive devices in an assault targeting a metals processing plant in Lyon were caught in the act,” France's security official announced via X, commending law enforcement for their “quick action, authority and management”.

High-caliber firearms, handguns and detonation devices were also confiscated.

The heist took place as authorities on that Thursday arrested five more suspects, including a primary suspect, in regarding the bold theft at the Louvre.

Dozens of investigators have been hunting four thieves who utilized a lorry equipped with a moving lift and cutting equipment to access a gallery on the first floor at the renowned museum on 19 October, making off with jewelry valued at approximately 88 million euros.

In a different significant robbery, burglars recently broke into the Natural History Museum in Paris, making off with gold samples worth over $1 million. A young Chinese female was taken into custody recently in Barcelona in regarding the theft, officials confirmed.

This series of robberies has sparked worry in the country regarding lax security at cultural venues and other facilities containing precious artifacts.