AUDACIOUS ROBBERY

Shannon News, 22 February 1927, Page 3

AUDACIOUS ROBBERY

ABDUCTED DIAMOND DEALER. SPURIOUS DETECTIVES’ COUP. M. Benderski, a diamond dealer in Paris, was recently the victim of a most audacious abduction and robbery by supposed detectives, who, charging him as a receiver of stolen property, but him into the cab on the pretext of taking him to the Criminal Investigation Department, drove to Ville d’Avray, and robbed him ol diamonds worth 47,000 francs and his money. M. Benderski carries on business at the diamond dealers cafe. Leaving there in the afternoon he was accosted by the spurious detectives and put into the car after they had assured themselves that he was not In possession of a revolver. In the cab they produced their cards as detectives and a warrant of arrest signed by the "Public Prosecutor” at Versailles. The cab stopped in a deserted street at Ville d’Avray. One of the “inspectors “announced that as an accident had occurred they would proceed to their destination on foot. M. Benderski had only walked a few yards when he was struck on the head with the butt of a revolver. Throwing a 100 franc note at him, the “detective” told him he could now return to Paris. The two thieves entered the taxicab and drove off. They had not entirely stripped the diamond dealer. A diamond ring worth 10,000 francs which he wore covered by his glove, and his gold wrist watch remained. The abduction and robbery had been carefully planned A man had offered to buy diamonds from _M. Benderski, and a meeting was ”xe for an afternoon, when the diamond dealer was expected to have gems worth 500,000 francs in his possession . Fortunately, he had got rid of most of the precious stones in the morning.