Ain: Family of Armored Truck Driver Briefly Held Hostage, Suspects Still at Large

On Thursday, April 17, in Échenevex, in the Ain department near the Swiss border, the wife and young daughter of a cash-in-transit driver were taken hostage in their home by three masked individuals. According to consistent police sources, the kidnappers then contacted the father, who was on duty for his cash delivery route, in an attempt to extract information about his itinerary and the contents of his armored vehicle, H24 NEWS has learned, confirming a report by our colleagues at RTL.

The driver was first alerted by his home’s video surveillance system, which showed the intruders entering the house. Moments later, he received a call from the kidnappers, who instructed him to begin his delivery route as usual and follow their orders. Despite the threat, he immediately alerted the gendarmerie.

Released Without Ransom, Investigation Underway

After approximately an hour and a half in captivity, the two hostages — a woman and her one-and-a-half-year-old child — were released unharmed along a rural roadside over 100 kilometers from the site of the abduction. No injuries were reported, and nothing was stolen. The attempted robbery ultimately failed, though investigators have yet to determine the precise intentions behind the plot.

A criminal investigation has been opened by the Lyon public prosecutor’s office for kidnapping and unlawful confinement by an organized gang, attempted robbery, criminal conspiracy, and use of dangerous means. The case is being handled by the Interregional Specialized Jurisdiction (JIRS) with support from the Central Office for the Fight Against Organized Crime. As of now, no arrests have been made.