Bubbly Burglars: High-Speed Police Chase Recovers $600,000 of Stolen Champagne, Suspects Make Dramatic Getaway

(Photo: Tim Goode/PA Wire for the Jockey Club)

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, two thieves triggered a high-speed police chase after they attempted to heist over $600,000 worth of Moët & Chandon Champagne.

Authorities in Reims, France — the heart of the Champagne region — were alerted to the incident when a pair of trucks was stolen from a local distribution facility. Using tracking devices, the trucks were eventually located on the A4 motorway en route to Paris.

When a squad of police cars approached the vehicles, the situation escalated into mayhem.

Authorities say that one of the truck drivers attempted to shoulder a police car off the road. Shortly after, the driver slowed down before jumping into a passing BMW which had arrived on the scene as an apparent backup for the thieves.

As the BMW escaped, a police officer jumped on board the still-moving truck and successfully slowed it to a halt.

The second truck was later found abandoned outside a nearby store without its driver. The €600,000 ($644,500) shipment of Champagne was recovered fully intact. Local news outlets say that police are currently examining the scene for DNA evidence and suspect organized gang involvement.

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