The group, composed of four men and one woman, targeted safes using angle grinders to force them open.
According to the Metz research section, the team conducted 14 robberies in June, hitting stores like Aldi, Lidl, Grand Frais, and Norma across Moselle and Meurthe-et-Moselle.
The robbers followed a specific pattern: they broke in during the night by accessing the roofs of the stores and then used angle grinders to open the safes.
The gang stayed in low-cost hotels and changed locations every three days, with surveillance revealing they also travelled to areas in the North, the Ardennes, the Meuse, and Belgium.
Three members were apprehended on 8 October after checking into a hotel in Saverne (Bas-Rhin). A search of their room and vehicle uncovered clothing linked to the break-ins, a telephone jammer, and tools including two angle grinders, cutting pliers, small shears, an axe, and chisels.
A fourth member was arrested the following day. All four were brought before a magistrate, indicted, and placed in provisional detention. The status of the fifth member has not been disclosed.
According to sources close to the investigation, the group caused over €100,000 in damages.
