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Levi Leviev speaks at a gathering of Shluchim in the former Soviet Union.

$136 Million in Diamonds Stolen from Leviev Exhibit

A lone man wearing gloves, a cap, and a scarf to mask his face sneaked into a diamond show in a luxury Cannes hotel and made off with some $136 million of loot, a French state prosecutor said Monday – more than twice the initial estimated take from the weekend hold-up.

The hotel in the sweltering French Riviera was hosting a temporary jewelry exhibit over the summer from the prestigious Leviev diamond house, which is owned by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, a Chabad affiliate.

Police had previously said Sunday’s theft at the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel had netted 40 million Euros ($53 million) worth of treasure – even at that level, one of biggest jewelry heists in recent years. Reached by The Associated Press, Philippe Vique, an assistant prosecutor in the Riviera town of Grasse, said the Dubai-based organizer of the diamond show had since raised the value based on a more complete inventory.

Describing a canny – if quick and logistically simple – break-in, Vique said the suspect broke in through French doors at the hotel that open out onto Cannes’ famed Croisette, held up the participants of the show with a handgun, then fled on foot. The hold-up itself took place in the space of about a minute, and with three private security guards, two vendors and a manager of the sale-exhibit on hand, he said.

No customers were present at the time.

“He took a bag containing a briefcase and a small box, and then fled by another French door on the inside,” Vique said, adding there was not getaway vehicle. “He left on foot … it was very fast.”

Jonathan Sazonoff, U.S. editor for the Museum Security Network website and an authority on high-value crime, told the AP on Sunday that police were likely to probe whether the heist was linked to recent jail escapes by alleged members of the Pink Panther jewel thief gang.

Vique said authorities were pursuing all possible leads and reviewing surveillance video footage – notably from cameras put in place by Cannes municipal authorities. But he said there was no indication so far that the suspect had links to any organized crime group.

Hotel officials would not comment, and attempts to reach Leviev or his company were not immediately successful.

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20 Comments

  • $136 Million?

    $136 million dollars. Up for ‘show’.
    That’s a good use of yiddisha money. (WTH)
    The Lord Givith and the Lord Takeith Awayith.
    And we wonder why we’re still in golus.
    How much money does one need?

    • Milhouse

      How much money does one need? As much as Hashem gives one. Why does it bother you?

    • Nebach!

      Are you going through a rough time in life? seems like something is really troubling you, you might need some wealthy man to help you pay for it, but there is help out there!

  • Anonymous

    This yid gives millions to tzedaka annually dont talk till you know!

  • To #4

    Your quote: “As much as Hashem gives you”. That’s how much a person needs???!!!! Now I’ve heard everything!
    “Why does it bother you”, you asked?
    Let’s see: Mothers are diluting milk for their kids Cerial…Kids are frying out because parents don’t have tuition money…Jewish children are starving around the world…Couples can’t get married…But the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
    And you #4 say’s, “That’s how much a person needs”!!!!!!

    • Milhouse

      There is a God in the world, and He decides how much to give someone. If Hashem has given someone a lot, we should be happy for him. And the fact that Hashem considered him deserving of so much is itself a reason to honor him. So says the gemoro.

      What other people lack is irrelevant. Did he take anything from them?! Is he rich at their expense?! If he were less rich, how would they be less poor? So why do you mention them?

      There is one rule one must remember in life: nobody gets anything at someone else’s expense. What Hashem gives each of us is on His cheshbon, not one someone else’s. It’s not as if He has a limited amount that he must apportion between us, ch”v!

  • anonymous

    let’s be real something this simple well planned an inside job how else does 1 man get away with it in a minute with a simple handgun well planned inside job possibly with terrorist connections

  • I agree with #7

    Sounds like an inside job”he was the only 1 ther”
    Come on,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

  • Don't criticize

    Leviev paid for Rabbi Ovadia Isakof, who was shot this week, to be flown to Israel, in a private plane, to be operated on!
    Stop criticizing people! Hashem chose him to be wealthy and B”H he has given plenty of Tzedokah!

  • why were the guards unarmed?

    One guy with a handgun, versus 6 people with a vested interest in protecting the jewels? Doesn’t make sense to me…….

  • Anonymous

    Your assertions about money, or lack thereof, speak to your worhtlessness as member of society, in general, and failure as a parent, in particular. This man was blessed with fortune and isn’t responsible for your child’s education; in fact educating one’s son is a mitzvah incumbent upon the father.

    All the problems you mention are not the wealthy’s fault. In fact, many of them do more to feed entitled mouths such as yours than you’ll ever know.

    Now, scram you, and go dig yourself in deeper so you’ll have something to blame on others.

  • SEREL MANESS

    NOT SURE ANYONE REALIZE IT,BUT HE’S IS THE MAIN SUPPORT OF RUSSIAN CHABAD SCHOOLS,AND HE WORKS HARD TOO,HE’II VISIT TO SEE HOW THE SCHOOL IS DOING,HASHEM GAVE HIM,HE USES FOR THE RIGHT THINGS IN THIS WORLD,THAT’S HOW HE MAKES MONEY FOR CHABAD

  • mottel

    idiotic comments.. These diamonds were his schora/business, not his personal collection. Daven for their recovery as they will help fund chabad mosdos around the world. And all of the commenters on here who are complaining need their heads examined.