Foreign Affairs
Former SAS Soldier Arrested For Robbing A Chateau Accused Of Growing Weed
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A former Special Air Services (SAS) Soldier who was arrested for robbing a chateau in Dordogone, France, is also being questioned for illegally growing marijuana inside his French residence.
Prosecutors referred to the 57-year-old man only as “Derek,” and believe he robbed the Château La Durantie over a year ago, according to The Times of London.
The two masked robbers who held the chateau owners at gunpoint were said to have spoken English with a British accent. This, coupled with a hair from a Jack Russell terrier found at the scene, led authorities to investigate British expatriates in France who owned that specific breed of dog, The Times reports.
The police then placed Derek under surveillance before arresting him in west France, where they discovered 130 marijuana plants, as well as cocaine and ecstasy inside his home.
The robbers forced the chateau owners, Ralph and Victoria Heinig, to open their safe but only found about £5,000 in cash and a Cartier watch worth around £20,000, according to The Times.
Mrs Heinig told The Times she was assaulted by one of the thieves to make her cooperate, after which she and her husband were tied up. “He hit me over the head with the butt of his gun so that I didn’t move,” she said.
Three other suspects thought to be involved with the robbery were also taken into custody. A 28-year-old suspected of being at the scene was arrested, along with a married couple who allegedly encouraged the robbers to target the chateau. The couple has been released on bail, The Times reported.
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