Saudi Prince's convoy attacked in Paris

Armed robbers ambushed a Saudi prince's diplomatic convoy on its way to an airport in Paris, France, on Sunday, August 17, 2014, Associated Press reports. They robbers, numbering up to eight, raided a Mercedes for valuables then torched and abandoned the vehicle.


A Paris police spokesperson said on BFM television that the car had 250,000 euros in cash and official embassy documents, and that the assailants were well-informed about the itinerary of the vehicle. Theft of the cash or documents was however not confirmed by the police but it is believed that they were taken away.

Police confirmed that handguns were flashed but no shots were fired during the night attack by five to eight assailants, the Paris prosecutor's office said. No injuries or arrests were reported.

French officials refused to name the prince, who has since left the country for an unidentified destination.

AP reports that the Mercedes car, with a driver and two passengers, was heading for Paris' Le Bourget airport to handle paperwork for the departing prince, according to the prosecutor's office. Le Bourget is often used for high-level visitors taking private jets to the French capital.

The burned shell of the stolen car was later found near the attack site in northern Paris along with another car, apparently belonging to the attackers.