Inside the Paris Ritz Jewelry Heist

On the evening of January 10, 2018, one of the most symbolic buildings in Paris became the site of a remarkably brazen robbery, famously known as the of Paris Ritz Jewelry Heist.

Around 6:30 PM, five masked men armed with hatchets and handguns entered the hotel’s rear entrance, targeting the high-end shopping gallery that houses world-class jewelers like Reza. The thieves used axes to shatter reinforced glass displays, seizing an estimated €4.5 million in watches and gems. The violent intrusion sent guests at the nearby Hemingway Bar diving for cover, though no injuries were reported.

The gang’s escape was far from seamless. As they attempted to flee, the hotel’s automated security doors locked, trapping three suspects inside where they were quickly apprehended by police. The remaining two fled via motorcycle and car, but in the chaos, a satchel containing the loot was dropped. Ultimately, all the stolen jewelry was recovered. Despite the global headlines, the heist had no impact on "Ritz stocks," as the hotel is privately owned by the Al-Fayed family. Because it is not publicly traded, the institution avoided the financial volatility that typically follows such high-profile security breaches, preserving its fiscal standing despite the cinematic raid.

Paris, specifically the area around Place Vendôme, is often called the "Golden Triangle" of luxury, making it a recurring target for the world’s most sophisticated thieves. The Paris Ritz Jewelry Heist was not the first infamous heist that happened in this luxurious area. December 2008 also saw the infamous Harry Winston heist on Avenue Montaigne, orchestrated by three men wearing silky wigs, skirts, and high heels. The cross-dressing gang utilized their disguises and intimate knowledge of the staff's names to seize approximately $102 million (€85 million) in diamonds and watches in under 20 minutes.