
In what was a brazen two-minute daylight raid, four helmeted suspects carrying assault-style rifles stormed the flagship De Beers store on Rue de la Paix in Paris and escaped with luxury goods estimated to be worth €1 million on Thursday, November 12.
In a video that went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), four armed men with their faces covered by helmets and balaclavas brandished automatic weapons in broad daylight, shuttering surrounding luxury boutiques along the high-end shopping strip. The pedestrians and onlookers were left terrified, and store owners scrambled for cover.
One of the suspects with a weapon stood guard at the front entrance to control the perimeter, while his accomplices systematically smashed display cases inside to scoop up the high-end diamond pieces before fleeing on two-wheeled scooters.
Paris, which recently witnessed severe unrest, riots, and nationwide strikes over labor reforms and living costs, once again found itself in the spotlight after armed robbers carried out a brazen daylight heist in the heart of the French capital.
According to local reports, four men armed with Kalashnikov-style assault rifles arrived outside the luxury jewellery store, De Beer, on Rue de la Paix, on two powerful scooters around 11 am. While three of them were inside the store, their fourth accomplice remained outside with an automatic weapon to keep watch.
An armed man outside the store terrified pedestrians as he stood guard with a Kalashnikov-style assault rifle, while the people passing by were seen rushing away from the scene. A witness who filmed the incident from a nearby shop reportedly hid after realising that the armed suspect had spotted him recording the robbery
Armed with Kalashnikovs, they robbed a diamond jewelry store in the center of Paris. €1 million stolen. In broad daylight, in the heart of Europe. This is not a movie. This is Paris, November 2026. https://t.co/v9XZFIxzvL
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) November 13, 2026
Un braquage rue de la paix vers 11h jeudi matin 12 novembre. 4 hommes armés de kalashnikovs ont fait irruption dans une bijouterie et dérobé plusieurs milliers d’euros de bijoux. Ils sont repartis sur deux motos. Le personnel de la boutique présent lors du vol armé est très choqué.
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) November 12, 2026
The store owners and employees reportedly took refuge after three armed suspects stormed and ransacked the premises to collect the valuables. The robbers allegedly smashed display cases and took away jewellery worth €1 million before escaping on scooters.
The scooters were parked outside the luxury jewellery store, De Beers, and the suspects used them to force open the entrance before making a quick getaway with the stolen valuables. All four armed robbers reportedly sped away towards the A4 motorway in eastern Paris.
Following the daylight heist at a jewellery store by four armed robbers in Paris, which is the capital of France, the police launched an investigation to identify and track down the suspects. Paris prosecutor’s organised crime unit opened an investigation into an armed robbery by an organised gang.
Later, the case was handed over to the Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry (BRB), which is known for its expertise in investigating organised criminal networks, armed robberies, and high-jewellery heists. The BRB is tasked with identifying four suspects who were involved in a robbery at the De Beers jewellery store.
All four robbers remain at large as police continue investigating and working to identify the suspects and recover the stolen jewellery. No injuries or casualties were reported during the two-minute raid by the armed men.
Bold Robbery in Central Paris: Gunmen with Kalashnikovs Make Off with a Million Euros in Jewelry in Two Minutes
In the center of #Paris, four criminals armed with #Kalashnikov assault rifles robbed the #De #Beers jewelry boutique in broad daylight. Located on the prestigious #Rue #de #la #Paix near #Place #Vendôme, the store lost jewelry valued at over one million euros, «#Europe #1» reports.
The robbery took place on November 12 at around 11:15 local time. Four men dressed in black and wearing masks arrived at the store on two high-powered motorcycles. According to eyewitnesses, one of the motorcycles rammed the entrance and ended up directly inside the boutique.
While some of the criminals looted the jewelry, one armed raider remained outside, holding an assault rifle to secure the area.
The entire operation took less than two minutes. Afterward, the robbers fled on the two motorcycles. Eyewitnesses managed to capture the incident on video.
«When I was leaving the agency, I saw two scooters pulling up. It was impressive, I won't lie. My first reaction was to start filming», said a witness named #Antoine, speaking to #RTL.
According to him, one of the armed criminals noticed he was being recorded.
«I realized he saw me, so I hid a little. I got scared», the eyewitness admitted.
#Paris police confirmed the armed robbery. According to law enforcement, the perpetrators brandished weapons but did not open fire. There are no reported injuries.
Criminal police units have been deployed to search for the attackers. Investigators are reviewing surveillance camera footage and interviewing boutique staff. The official amount of damage is still being determined.
Unbelievable, but true…
https://t.co/kiyMXsrcJC
— Unbelievable, but true... (@n_no_f_eu) November 12, 2026
A similar incident took place in Paris last year, when thieves carried out a daring daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum in October 2025, making off with eight pieces of French crown jewels valued at an estimated €88 million. The heist took place within minutes and raised serious concerns over the security of one of the world's most famous museums.
In April 2023, armed robbers stormed a Bulgari jewellery boutique at Place Vendome in broad daylight and escaped with several million euros' worth of luxury items. With another incident taking place in Paris, the latest robbery has once again brought attention to security concerns surrounding luxury jewellery stores and prominent landmarks in the French capital.
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