French police captures first-class wig gang suspects

An alleged gang of thieves who reportedly stole goods from first-class passengers on French trains valued at €300,000 (£260,000) has been apprehended. After sitting next to passengers on fast trains travelling across the nation, it is believed that they took their belongings. One alleged 57-year-old guy wore a wig and pretended to be a woman.

According to French media, he and two other males, ages 47 and 40, have admitted to committing the thefts over a five- to six-year period.

They are thought to have kept stolen goods in a flat in Marseille, a city in the south.

The alleged method of operation involved taking items at station breaks when the unaware owners got off the train to take a break and walk around or smoke.

Local media reports that a passenger initially reported the loss of a suitcase containing jewellery worth €50,000 to police in April.

Police found a cache of stolen goods in the Marseille apartment four months later. Cash totaling €130,000, a watch worth €70,000, luxury purses, shoes, cameras, and jewellery were among the items.

Local police are looking for passengers who were targeted on trains running between Paris, Geneva, and Nice because they believe more than 100 people had stuff stolen from them. If found guilty of robbery, the guys may spend up to seven years behind bars.