Three thieves were on the run today after snatching a briefcase containing USD 412,000 worth of jewels outside the famous Drouot auction house in Paris.
The thieves used tear gas to incapacitate two auctioneers and two assistants outside the auction house in central Paris around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT), police said.
They then grabbed the briefcase containing about USD 412,000 worth of jewels and escaped on a motorcycle.
Two of thieves continued their escape in a car parked near the auction house, but, in an apparent bid to confound pursuers, then switched cars by stealing a vehicle from a passing driver.
Police lost track of them in the Paris suburbs.
