Four alleged burglars have been accused of orchestrating a daring targeted heist that netted precious jewellery, rare watches, and luxury handbags worth $10 million.
The four French nationals meticulously planned the daring robbery of the Canberra home after arriving in the country on October 7, police said.
One of the accused thieves hired a rental car - an ordinary but very roomy Mitsubishi Outlander - that was seen numerous times in the area of the robbery.
The rental car was tracked travelling in and out of the ACT multiple times before the men allegedly broke into the home and committed the thefts on October 15.
It is alleged the four travelled to Australia specifically for the robbery, but police have not revealed the victim of the heist.
Security footage showed at least two men breaking into the home before stealing more than 70 items - including luxury Hermes handbags, watches, and jewellery.
Police found the men in a Sydney fast-food restaurant four days after the robbery, before some of the luxury haul was recovered from a short-term rental property in Wentworthville.
Some of the items were shipped back to France and have been recovered by French authorities, but all of the haul has been recovered.
An international alert has been issued for a $5 million Richard Mille RM88 (Smiley) watch along with two exclusive Hermes rings, a Van Cleef Seoul necklace, a Patek Philippe 5711 Tiffany watch, and a Patek Philippe 5711 40th anniversary watch.
The Richard Mille watch alone is worth around $5.7 million, with only 50 ever being made.
"These items are distinctive, valuable and cannot be easily on-sold," police said on Thursday.
"These incidents are believed to have been a targeted operation by the alleged offenders – who travelled to Australia specifically to commit these offences."
The men were extradited to the ACT on October 21, were each charged with aggravated burglary – intent to commit theft and joint commission theft.
ACT police are working alongside NSW and French authorities to locate the remaining stolen items.
