FRANCE was rocked today by another dramatic heist after five heavily armed thugs raided a precious metals lab, according to media reports.
Footage showed the robbers dressed up as cops and armed with assault rifles entering the Pourquery laboratory in Lyon, which deals with precious metals, including gold.
The raid comes just days after the famous Louvre heist that saw thugs steal crown jewels worth £76 million.
The robbers used explosives and had long guns or military-grade weapons, Progress reports.
The masked men were seen carrying telescopic ladders, which they used to enter the lab’s premises.
The thugs used explosive charges to break into the lab before, it was reported.
A local neighbour told News Lyon: “We heard a loud explosion coming from the laboratory. We took cover behind the windows and could see the robbery unfolding.
“We saw four people armed with Kalashnikov-type weapons of war, really heavily armed, very professional, very calm and masked.”
They said the robbers were able to steal small bags, probably containing precious metals.
A bomb disposal unit was also called to the scene after the reported explosion.
It is understood that cops have now arrested the five thugs suspected of carrying out the robbery.
The loot has also reportedly been recovered.
Two people have been charged, and a “prime suspect” alongside four others were arrested over the world-famous Louvre burglary.
But investigators have yet to discover where the stolen crown jewels are now.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the five suspects were all detained on Wednesday.
DNA evidence on one of the men is said to be linked to the crime scene – making him the prime suspect.
On Saturday, two men were charged when they “partially admitted” their involvement in the heist to cops when interrogated.
Beccuau said the detainees face up to 15 years in prison for “organised robbery in a gang”.
Raiders with chainsaws scaled the side of the world’s most visited gallery before opening a window to enter and steal the precious jewels – all in just seven minutes.
The thugs managed to get away with priceless pieces, including a tiara, necklaces and brooches that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte’s family.
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Investigators are still scrambling to find the four men who pulled off the “heist of the century” as well as any accomplices.
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