Missing $800K Ring at Paris Ritz Hotel Found in Unlikely Spot

① $800,000 Diamond Ring Goes Missing

A diamond ring worth over $800,000 went missing from a famous hotel in Paris, France. Despite the police being involved in the search, the lost ring was found in an unexpected place. On the 10th, a tourist from Malaysia reported to the police that her diamond ring had been stolen at the Paris Ritz Hotel.

The ring was adorned with a 6.51-carat diamond. Its estimated value was around $900,000. The tourist had left the ring on the table in her hotel room before going out. However, she claimed that the ring was gone when she returned to the hotel.

Given the high value of the ring, the police considered the possibility of theft and commenced an investigation. The ring was found two days later in the dust compartment of a vacuum cleaner used for hotel cleaning. The hotel management speculated that the vacuum cleaner had sucked up the diamond ring during the room cleaning process.

The Paris Ritz Hotel stated, “Thanks to the thorough search of our security personnel, the ring was found this morning,” and added, “The customer was relieved to hear this news.” The incident of the missing diamond ring worth $900,000 ended up being a harmless mishap.

② Numerous Theft Incidents at the Hotel

The Paris Ritz Hotel is located in the Place Vendôme. It is situated in a neighborhood known for having the most glamorous jewelry stores in Paris. The hotel, considered one of the best in Paris, opened its doors in 1898. At that time, it was recognized as the best luxury hotel in the world.

The hotel is also famous as the place where designer Coco Chanel lived for 37 years until her death. Ernest Hemingway, Elton John, and Princess Diana were among the notable personalities who loved the Ritz Hotel.

The renowned Paris Ritz Hotel, synonymous with luxury, continues to maintain its prestigious reputation. Not only the hotel but also the Place Vendôme, where the hotel is located, is an area known for luxury boutiques, and it has experienced several theft incidents in the past.

In January 2018, five robbers broke into the lobby of the Paris Ritz Hotel and stole jewelry worth millions. They stole jewelry worth about $4.3 million displayed in the hotel lobby. They broke the first-floor window and infiltrated the jewelry exhibition. At the time, a globally renowned jeweler’s collection was on display. The police apprehended three of the robbers, but two escaped on a scooter, dropping a bag containing some of the stolen jewelry. Some of the stolen jewelry was recovered.

Later that year, a member of a Saudi Arabian royal family reported that jewelry worth about $950,000 was stolen from their suite at the hotel. The victim of the theft was a princess from Saudi Arabia. There were no signs of intrusion at the hotel, but the belongings in the suite’s safe vanished without a trace.

The Paris City Hall immediately launched an investigation after receiving the report, but it was difficult to find the jewelry. There are police officers stationed at the Ritz Hotel 24 hours a day. However, the unease is growing due to the unending robbery incidents.

③ Serious Security Situation in Paris

Paris is a dream destination for travelers worldwide. However, the security situation in Paris is known to be severe. Pickpockets occur often on the streets, and loss incidents frequently occur in hotels.

Recently, an armed robber broke into the KITH offline store in Paris. Two masked robbers entered the store, sprayed tear gas, and overpowered the security guard with a blunt weapon. They stole products worth about $670,000 and fled. The stolen items included several high-end luxury goods.

In August, a theft occurred in the heart of Paris, where approximately 21.3 billion won worth of jewelry and luxury items were stolen from the Piazza store on Rue de la Paix. Three armed robbers entered the store, subdued the staff at gunpoint, and proceeded to loot the store shelves. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the stolen items were substantial. The investigation into this incident has been undertaken by the specialized French police investigative unit, BRP, which handles armed robbery and theft cases.

This incident follows a series of robberies, contributing to an uneasy atmosphere in Paris. In May, three armed robbers targeted the Bulgari store in Place Vendôme.

Concerns about rising crime have prompted local authorities in Paris to take action, especially with the upcoming Olympics. They have announced plans to deploy 5,000 military personnel to Paris for the Olympics, with enhanced security measures, including setting up temporary tents and increasing surveillance cameras. The use of artificial intelligence to create safer streets is also part of their commitment. The exact number of police officers to be deployed alongside the military has not been disclosed. Many tourists are hopeful that these measures will improve the overall security situation in Paris in anticipation of the upcoming Olympics.

By. Min Jae Kim