Two 40-year-olds suspected of being involved in the theft of nearly one million euros of silver powder from the Schneider Electric group site in Moirans (Isère) last June were arrested and then imprisoned, the prosecution announced on Saturday. from Grenoble.

Aged 44 and 48, they were indicted respectively for "concealment of organized gang theft" and "organized gang theft", said the prosecution, confirming information from the

Dauphine Libere

.

On June 26, in the middle of the night, "at least four hooded individuals" had "handcuffed the security guard of the company", specializing in the manufacture of electrical components, before "stealing boxes of silver powder", had to time recounted the prosecution.

750 kg of silver powder in a couple

This loot of "two tons of silver powder and 700 kg of silver waste" was then loaded "into a commercial vehicle", while the security guard "was forced to lie down in the back of his own vehicle [ …] locked by the authors, ”recalled the prosecution on Saturday.

These arrests, led by the gendarmes, follow three others on the same day.

A couple in their thirties living in Saint-Martin-d'Uriage (Isère), had been arrested with more than 750 kg of silver powder at home.

A 35-year-old friend of theirs was also arrested.

Jewelry and weapons seized

These three people had been the subject of a preliminary investigation since October 2020 after an initial complaint “from a town hall in the Grenoble metropolitan area for breaches of the town planning code”, continues the prosecution.

"Manager of several commercial companies intended to give an appearance of legality to the displayed lifestyle", this couple thus made "numerous trips abroad", "purchases of luxury goods", "significant real estate investments in France and abroad.

Part of their suspicious income also comes from "precious metals trading companies".

During this search, "numerous jewels and luxury goods as well as two firearms" were seized.

The three suspects were indicted for "laundering, concealment of breach of trust, fraud and abuse of corporate assets".

The husband, 38, was imprisoned, his 30-year-old wife placed under judicial control.

Their friend, left free, will be “summoned later”.

Justice

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Miscellaneous facts

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  • Grenoble

  • Isere

  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

  • Flight

  • Robbery

  • Company