Brazilian Tourist Targeted in High-Value Watch Theft
French police have arrested four Spanish nationals following the theft of a luxury watch worth around $300,000 from a Brazilian tourist in Saint-Tropez.
The robbery took place on Friday in the famous French Riviera resort town, which is known for attracting wealthy tourists, celebrities and luxury visitors during the summer season.
Authorities in France’s Var region said the watch was later recovered.
Police said it would be returned to its owner after the necessary investigative procedures are completed.
The victim reportedly valued the watch at approximately $300,000.
A regional report identified it as a Richard Mille watch worth around €260,000, although authorities initially referred more generally to a luxury timepiece.
Investigators believe the suspects fled the scene by car immediately after the theft.
Police then launched a search operation across the Saint-Tropez area.
Suspects Arrested After Police Chase Near Cogolin
The four suspects were eventually arrested in Cogolin, a town located close to Saint-Tropez.
Regional media reported that officers pursued the suspects through roads surrounding the Gulf of Saint-Tropez before making the arrests.
Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the four suspects.
Further details about the exact method used to steal the watch have also not been disclosed.
The arrests remain part of an ongoing criminal investigation, and the suspects have not been convicted.
Police are now expected to examine whether the group may be connected to other luxury watch robberies in the region.
Saint-Tropez becomes particularly busy during the summer, when its beaches, hotels, restaurants and marinas attract wealthy visitors from around the world.
That concentration of expensive jewellery and watches has also made the area a target for organised thieves.
Luxury Watch Thefts Rise During Saint-Tropez Summer Season
French authorities say luxury watch theft is a recurring problem in the Saint-Tropez area during the peak tourism season.
Around 15 high-end watches have already been reported stolen in the area since the start of the current summer season, according to the regional gendarmerie.
Police say organised groups often travel to luxury destinations during summer specifically to identify tourists wearing expensive watches and jewellery.
Some criminal networks operate across several European countries rather than remaining in one location.
European authorities have previously dismantled organised groups accused of carrying out large-scale luxury watch thefts in France, Spain and Italy.
The latest Saint-Tropez case ended with the recovery of the stolen watch, preventing the victim from permanently losing the valuable timepiece.
French investigators will now work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the theft and determine whether the four arrested suspects have links to additional crimes.
