Bulgari robbers caught in Paris after alleged $16 million jewellery heist ends in gunfire

Robbers caught after $16 million jewellery heist at Paris Bulgari store.

Police opened fire on three armed robbers who were fleeing after a 10 million euro ($16 million) jewellery heist at a Bulgari store in central Paris.

Three people, wearing suits and armed with guns, robbed the recently revamped boutique on the Place Vendôme, near the Ritz hotel, shortly before midday on Tuesday (local time).

Police said the trio fled in a BMW while four accomplices took flight on motor scooters.

Police fired shots at the car near the Les Halles shopping mall, less than 2 kilometres away, forcing the trio to flee on foot. 

One suspect was shot in the leg by an officer before being arrested.

Bandits struck the recently revamped Bulgari boutique shortly before midday.  (Reuters: Eric Gaillard)

Two others were also arrested, an officer at the scene said, while a manhunt was underway for the four who left on scooters. 

Police seized two scooters believed to have been used in the crime. 

Paris jewellers targeted in string of robberies

Bulgari said no-one was hurt during the heist.

Jewellery stores in Paris have suffered a spate of armed robberies in recent months.

"It's not the first time the Place Vendôme is targeted," a police officer who identified herself as Noura B told reporters.

"(But) these weren't (just) pistols they were armed with. Using large guns, taking that kind of risk … is something that happens rarely."

In July, thieves made off with jewellery worth almost 2 million euros ($3.2 million) from a Chaumet store near the Champs-Élysées, although the stolen goods were later recovered and the suspects arrested.

That same month, robbers struck a Dinh Van jewellery store in central Paris.

The Bulgari store recently underwent extensive renovations, expanded to open onto the Place Vendôme and outfitted itself with marble columns.

The historic Place Vendôme is regarded as the heart of French luxury.

Labels including Chanel, Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels have invested considerably in prestigious flagships lining the square.

In July a woman was jailed for secretly swapping seven pebbles for 4.2 million pounds' ($7.8 million) worth of diamonds at a luxury jewelry store in London's Mayfair district. 

ABC/wires