Series of burglaries in France ahead of the holidays

In late October 2026, in Ponts-de-Cé (Maine-et-Loire), a couple of nonagenarians was assaulted and held captive at their home by four burglars, who were arrested after their daughter raised the alarm. In early November, in Eu, burglars made off with a car and jewelry, while several burglaries were reported in the Avesnois, and wine cellars in the Épernay area feared pallet thefts ahead of the holidays. On November 7, an 80-year-old man was struck in the face during a burglary and his vehicle stolen; during the night of November 7 to 8, a car was stolen in Guise then set on fire, and a hair salon in Esquéhéries was broken into. On November 9 and 10, an octogenarian was locked in at Sioniac, at least three camper vans were stolen between Laon and Reims, a 99-year-old woman was burgled in Reims, and the gendarmes of Aube called for vigilance. In mid-November, a store in Perpignan released images of thieves, and in the Pyrénées-Orientales, five elderly women living alone were victims of nighttime intrusions within a month, with an investigation underway.