Monaco’s reputation for swift policing was underlined on Friday night after two alleged luxury watch thieves were arrested within hours of carrying out a snatch-and-grab robbery at Port Hercule…
As reported by Monaco-Matin, the two Argentine nationals, aged 35 and 38, are due to appear before Monaco’s Criminal Court on Monday after police tracked them down less than 90 minutes after the alleged theft on Quai Albert Ier.
The incident unfolded shortly after 9:00pm, when two men riding a scooter allegedly stole a luxury wristwatch before fleeing the scene. Officers from Monaco’s Public Security Department immediately launched a search operation, locating and arresting the suspects at 10:21pm and 10:38pm.
According to Prosecutor General Stéphane Thibaut, the stolen watch was recovered from one of the suspects. During questioning, one man partially admitted his involvement in the incident, whilst the second exercised his right to remain silent.
Both men were brought before the Public Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday and remanded in custody ahead of an immediate court appearance on Monday morning.
The arrests come amid renewed attention on luxury crime in the Principality following the recent investigation into a fake police officer accused of stealing jewellery worth around €1 million from an elderly resident. However, Friday night’s case also demonstrated the speed with which Monaco’s police force can respond, with suspects identified, arrested and the stolen property recovered within little more than an hour of the alleged offence.
Image: Studio RP