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Formula One's Button burgled in France

August 7, 2015

Burglars have robbed British Formula One driver Jenson Button and his wife while on holiday in the French Riviera. Police are investigating if gas might have been used to knock out the victims of the robbery.

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Jenson Button REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee
Image: Reuters

British media reported Friday that thieves stole items worth around 428,000 euros ($467,000) in the heist on Monday evening in the French resort city of St. Tropez, where Jenson Button and his wife, Jessica, were staying in a rented villa with friends.

Among the articles stolen was Jessica Button's engagement ring, according to the tabloid "The Sun."

A spokesman for the driver said on Thursday that the thieves may have first incapacitated the Buttons and their three guests with gas before carrying out the robbery.

"The police have indicated that this has become a growing problem in the region with perpetrators going so far as to gas their proposed victims through the air conditioning units before breaking in," the spokesman said, adding that all involved were shaken but unharmed.

Police are reportedly searching for two robbers.

Button, 35, currently drives for team McLaren. He lives in Monaco, some 140 kilometers (87 miles) northeast of St. Tropez.

tj/sms (dpa, AFP)