Millions stolen in an explosive attack on a security van near Marseilles

lefigaro.fr
04/01/2010

A number of vehicles were set alight in the middle of the road to block the van

It only took the robbers a few minutes to sieze the precious haul. An armoured van of the Sazias company was attacked on Monday morning in the industrial area of the Paluds, in Gémenos (Bouches-du-Rhône) near Marseille, by six armed men.
According to the first elements of the inquest the van was full because it had just left the depot in the direction of the Banque de France de Toulon. The robbers managed to escape with eight million euros, according to the local paper.

The attack took place shortly before ten o'clock. When the van left the company the robbers set fire to a number of vehicles - including a 4x4 - in the middle of the road to block it. According to an eye witness they passed themselves off as policemen with the aid of a vehicle
with a flashing light.
They then took the guns from the conveyors of the funds and opened the back door of the van with explosives and escaped in a number of vehicles. The was a brief exchange of fire between the robbers and the municipal police, with no wounded.