A botched attempt to target senior figures in France’s cryptocurrency sector led to the arrest of three suspects on Thursday after a series of violent home invasions and a cross-region police operation.
According to information confirmed by multiple law-enforcement sources, the masked and armed men first forced their way into a residential building in the Val-de-Marne area early in the morning, apparently seeking the home of the head of Binance’s French operations.
Investigators say the group initially entered the wrong apartment and threatened an occupant to obtain directions before locating the intended residence.
Once inside the executive’s home, the intruders searched the premises but left quickly after discovering he was not present. Two mobile phones were taken before the suspects fled.
Violence In Second Mistaken Target
Roughly two hours later, authorities in the neighboring Hauts-de-Seine department were alerted to another attack, this time in Vaucresson.
A woman reported being struck with a firearm by several masked men who had entered her property.
Police later linked the incident to the earlier break-in after the stolen phones were traced to the same location and surveillance footage showed the suspects using the same vehicle.
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Witness testimony suggests the group again realized they had targeted the wrong address.
The victim told officers she heard the men discussing a different street number and the name of a crypto entrepreneur who in fact lives nearby.
The attackers left shortly afterward.
Multi-Agency Manhunt And Arrest In Lyon
The sequence of errors enabled investigators to track the suspects quickly.
Officers from several regional units, including specialized robbery squads and transport police, coordinated efforts to monitor their movements through the public transit network.
The three men eventually boarded a train heading to Lyon, where local elite police units were alerted in advance.
They were arrested upon arrival at Lyon Perrache station and taken into custody for questioning.
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