Ram-raider hits Gaultier store in Paris

PARIS, Nov 30 (AFP) – French police were Sunday holding a Yugoslav ram-raider who drove his car through the window of fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier’s showcase store off the Champs Elysees in central Paris and made off with a selection of menswear.

“It’s been a year now that we’ve been asking for steel bollards to protect the shop from this kind of attack,” said Donald Potard, who manages the store on Avenue George V.

The ram-raider had reconnoitred the interior of the shop Friday afternoon before returning in his vehicle during the night and smashing through a four-metre high window display created by designer Philippe Starck. The man, described by police as mentally unbalanced, was arrested shortly afterwards.

“It’s incredible. These days nut-cases use the same methods as professionals. Obviously the world of fashion is capable of stirring up extremely deep phantasms,” said Potard.

Designer Gianfranco Ferre’s boutique on the same street has twice been hit by ram-raiders and has now installed a steel protective blind.

© AFP

                                                                Subject: French news