Aga Khan Jewel Robbery Biggest Ever For Lloyds

Northern Advocate, 5 August 1949, Page 5

Aga Khan Jewel Robbery Biggest Ever For Lloyds

PARIS, Thu. (10.30 a.m.). —The theft yesterday, by-four armed bandits, of the jewellery of the wife of the Aga Khan was the biggest jewel robbery in the history of Lloyds, said Mr John Beullens, Lloyds’ representative in Paris, today. After a further check the Begum’s jewellery has been valued at £300,000.

Lloyds. underwriters have offered a reward of 10 per cent of the value of any jewels recovered. Police, who have organised one of biggest hunts in French history along the Riviera coast and in Paris for the robbers, found the car used in the hold-up, a dark-blue beret, and a pair of old yellow gloves. A squad of 10 inspectors, with police dogs, tracked the bandits to the main Cannes-Nice road and the search is continuing. Police believe the robbery was carried out with help from inside the Asa Khan’s household.

collection has been circulated to the police throughout France and abroad. In a telephone interview with a newspaperman today the Aga Khan said: ' ‘Now lam a happy man. I have no more valuables left to steal. “I can now go about without any fear of being held up, because I am quite sure no one would want to hold up a man like me just to steal a few pounds that they may find in my pockets.”

They also think the hold-up and the £45.000 jewel robbery at Deauville and the robbery of £23,000 from bank messengers at Aixen Provence, on August 2. are the work of the same gong. A high police official says the gang is resourceful and supremely daring. He said more raids were expected at big holiday resorts. Police guards around the houses of the’ rich have been doubled and many millionaires arc reported to be engaging private detectives as additional security. Some French newspapers report that the Minister of the Interior (M. Jules Moc) is planning special measures to reinforce police control. The police said today that it maybe impossible for the robbers to get rid of tiie Begum’s jewels unless they are broken up and disposed of in small lots. A full description of the jewels, which comprise almost all the Begum's