Cannes the scene of $53M jewel caper

Theft follows recent escapes by members of Pink Panther gang

Heist follows recent jail escapes of members of notorious thief gang,

PARIS A staggering $53 million worth of diamonds and other jewels was stolen Sunday from the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel in Cannes, in one of Europe’s biggest jewelry heists in recent years, police said. One expert noted the crime follows recent jail escapes by members of the notorious “Pink Panther” jewel thief gang.

The hotel in the sweltering French Riviera was hosting a temporary jewelry exhibit over the summer from the prestigious Leviev diamond house, which is owned by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev.

A police spokesman said the theft took place around noon, but he could not confirm local media reports that the robber was a single gunman who stuffed a suitcase with the gems before making a swift exit.

The luxury Carlton hotel is situated on the exclusive Promenade de la Croisette that stretches more than a kilometre along the French Riviera, and is thronged by the rich and famous throughout the year.

The hotel’s position provides not only a beautiful view of the sea but also an easy getaway for potential jewel thieves along the long stretch of road.

“It’s a huge theft. Anytime you talk about a heist with many millions of dollars it turns heads and feeds the imagination,” said Jonathan Sazonoff, U.S. editor for the Museum Security Network website and an authority on high-value crime.

He said the likelihood of recovering the stolen diamonds and jewels is slim, because the thieves can easily sell them.

On Thursday, gang member Milan Poparic escaped his Swiss prison after accomplices rammed a gate and overpowered guards with bursts from their AK-47s, police said.

The Pink Panther network’s members are prime suspects in a series of daring thefts. Poparic is the third member of the Pink Panthers to escape from a Swiss prison in as many months, according to police.

According to Interpol, the group has targeted luxury watch and jewelry stores in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States, netting more than $350 million since 1999.