Six Suspects Apprehended After €12 Million Armed Raid on Gold Processing Laboratory in France

Six armed perpetrators equipped with military-grade weapons employed explosives to force entry into a gold treatment facility located in the city of Lyon, slightly injuring five staff members during what appears to be the newest significant daylight theft to hit the country.

The daring raid occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, with law enforcement authorities quickly arresting the individuals believed responsible and retrieving the loot assessed at around 12 million euros (10.5 million pounds), officials reported.

Five staff members of the gold refining company sustained minor injuries from the blast, and three employees were transported to hospital for assessment, the regional prefecture announced. Twenty-eight employees were present on-site when the perpetrators raided.

The suspects, thought to be experienced criminals, were arrested soon afterwards in the adjacent municipality of Vénissieux, France, a source close to the investigation stated.

A woman involved who took part in the heist was taken into custody as well, a police source indicated.

“Six people who employed explosive devices in a raid against a precious metals company in the Lyon area were arrested at the scene,” France's security official announced via X, commending law enforcement for their “firmness, rapid response and command”.

High-caliber firearms, handguns and detonation devices were recovered as well.

The raid happened as authorities on that Thursday arrested five more suspects, including a primary suspect, in connection with the recent audacious theft at the Louvre.

Many investigative personnel have been hunting four thieves who used a vehicle with a hydraulic lift and cutting tools to break into an upper-level exhibition space at the museum on October 19th, fleeing with jewelry valued at approximately 88 million euros.

In a separate high-profile case, burglars recently forced their way into the French capital's Natural History Museum, taking gold specimens estimated at exceeding $1M. A young Chinese female was apprehended in the current month in Barcelona, Spain in connection with the break-in, prosecutors stated.

The string of thefts has sparked worry in the country regarding insufficient protection at museums and various establishments containing precious artifacts.