French authorities are investigating the theft of roughly 200 detonators plus grenades and plastic explosives from a military site in southeastern France, officials said Tuesday.
The thefts at the Miramas site, which is operated by a combination of military services west of Marseille, appeared to have occurred overnight from Sunday to Monday. The break-in comes as France has strengthened its security measures after two deadly attacks by extremists this year.
Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said in a statement that an investigation has started on charges of “theft with break-in carried out by a criminal group” and “fraudulent entry into a military compound.”
An official with the gendarmerie police force, which generally runs law enforcement in more rural areas of France, said the thief or thieves appeared to have cut through a fence to enter the high-security site. The official was not authorized to speak publicly because the operation is ongoing.
The Defense Ministry and a top spokesman for the French military did not immediately respond to calls and text messages from The Associated Press seeking details.
Mayor Frederic Vigouroux of Miramas told the AP he did not know precisely what was stolen, but said it was the first theft at the site. He said the outer fences were broken into, and that nine storehouses were affected.
“It wasn’t cotton candy that was stolen,” he said. “These are dangerous munitions. Everything is inherently dangerous.”
France has been on its highest level of alert for terrorism following deadly attacks in January and June.
The 500-acre base sits on the outskirts of the town of 30,000 and stocks munitions of the type used in French military operations in Mali and Afghanistan.
Associated Press
