“They did this with a truck? “, asks a retiree as she approaches the barrier that prevents onlookers from approaching the parking lot. Very kindly, the police officer explains to him that he cannot answer his question. Facing the lady, who looks stunned: the completely smashed metal curtain of the Tang Frères store, located at 8, rue Nicolas-Appert, in Lognes. This is because during the night from Thursday to Friday, the Asian supermarket was the target of a car-ramming theft.
The attack, which took place around 1:40 a.m., caused no injuries. A lightning operation since it lasted barely two minutes. Time for the criminal(s) to seize the cash which was in five coin boxes. The amount of damage is estimated at just under 5,000 euros.
Attacks that have become rare
The Meaux public prosecutor’s office entrusted the investigation to the Territorial Crime Section (SCT, formerly Departmental Security 77 North). Friday morning, investigators were collecting clues. They looked at the Alfa Romeo Giulietta abandoned on site by the criminals.
The store owner was there and answered their questions. For the moment, no one has been arrested. The police will be able to rely on video surveillance images from the city.
It is an understatement to say that this type of attack – which consists of throwing a vehicle against a window or a metal curtain to enter the trade – has become rare. These thefts were more common in the early 2000s. Most of the time, the ram vehicle – which was too damaged – was abandoned at the scene of the incident, before being sprayed with fire extinguisher powder. And this, in order to erase the fingerprints. And the gang left in another car.
