Shop owner killed in jewellery heist

Thierry Unik, aged 42, was working at 6.10pm on Saturday 26th November when three masked men wearing motorbike helmets entered the store on avenue Francis Tonner. The victim was shot in the head after reportedly trying to defend a safe at the back of the store.

Four people were present at the time: the jeweller, his stepsister, and two customers - one who fled when the criminals arrived. Bystanders were also reportedly threatened.

A witness has told local newspaper Nice Matin, “I saw two motorcycles travelling extremely fast down the road. The motorcycles stopped and three out of the four individuals jumped off. They were hooded with their helmets still on. Two of the men were armed.”

Grasse Prosecutor Jean-Michel Cailliau told AFP on Sunday night that the thieves were not believed to be professionals, and "probably panicked," allegedly saying after the fatal shot was fired: "call the paramedics."

They also had a well-planned getaway, managing to avoid capture despite a large manhunt.

How much jewellery was stolen during the attack remains unknown.

According to a statement released on Sunday, Interior Minister Claude Gueant will meet with authorities in the coming days to "accelerate the implementation of security measures."

There has been an alarming 33 per cent increase in armed robberies in jewellery stores this year compared to 2010. 

Cassandra Tanti