Masked Robbers Assault British YouTuber Ben Phillips in Vallauris Near Cannes

A robbery and assault at a luxury villa in Vallauris, near Cannes in the Alpes-Maritimes, targeted British YouTuber Ben Phillips during the night from Tuesday, June 2 to Wednesday, June 3.

“Near Cannes, a British YouTuber robbed of 400,000 euros”

Le Figaro

Nice-Matin said three gloved individuals with masked faces forced entry around 11:15 p.m. into a property rented by the 33-year-old English content creator, and one assailant threatened the victim with a semi-automatic pistol.

Le Figaro

Le Figaro said the incident occurred at 11 p.m. as Phillips returned to his home, when three masked individuals entered the villa for rent and threatened him with a handgun placed on his temple before making him kneel and striking him as they asked where the money was.

Ouest-France with NewsGene reported the burglars forced the videographer to his knees and pointed a handgun at his temple, then struck him and forced him to indicate where his money was.

The loss was estimated at more than one million euros in Nice-Matin, while Ouest-France and Le Figaro put the figure between €300,000 and €400,000.

Nice-Matin said the Alpes-Maritimes Judicial Police dismantled the crew suspected of carrying out an armed robbery at the luxury villa in Vallauris, and that suspects were arrested within hours as they attempted to resell the proceeds of the theft at a villa in Vallauris.

It reported that on June 3, less than 24 hours after the Vallauris robbery, BRI officers arrested a 34-year-old man described as the presumed intermediary for the gang, and investigators found several watches, jewelry, and leather goods from the theft.

Nice-Matin

Ouest-France said the investigation for 'theft in a group' was opened after the home invasion, and that the investigations have been entrusted to the Nice judicial police.

The Times of India said French authorities arrested five suspects in connection with the robbery and placed them in pre-trial detention as the investigation continues.

Nice-Matin added that the various cases were consolidated into a single judicial proceeding and that on June 7 the five main suspects were presented to the Grasse public prosecutor, with remand in custody pending their immediate appearance scheduled for Tuesday, June 9.

According to Nice-Matin, the perpetrators left with a substantial haul consisting of luxury watches, jewelry, and leather goods, with the loss estimated at more than one million euros.

“British YouTuber Ben Phillips was assaulted in a villa he was renting in Vallauris (Alpes-Maritimes) during the night from Tuesday, June 2 to Wednesday, June 3”

Ouest-France

Ouest-France reported that police source interviews with France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur said the thieves fled with Cartier jewelry, Rolex watches, Louis Vuitton and Chanel handbags, and shoes, and it placed the loss between €300,000 and €400,000.

Le Figaro said jewelry, watches, handbags and luxury shoes were stolen from Phillips, and it described the three criminals as at large while stating that the Nice judicial police are handling the case.

The Times of India said Phillips shared details that the group stole luxury watches, jewelry, luggage, and other expensive items worth around £1.4 million (about $1.8 million), and it said Phillips reported the weapon jammed as the intruders attempted to pull the trigger.

Nice-Matin said the SIPJ 06's Brigade for the Repression of Banditry opened an investigation into armed robbery in an organized gang and criminal association, prompted by the Grasse public prosecutor's office, and that the crew had been on the radar in connection with aggravated robberies in Cannes.