two men in pre-trial detention

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How can a 20-year-old, best apprentice in France in 2021, find himself in prison three years later? Apparently because he “followed bad company” and is now on a break from his family.

Friday November 29, 2024, in the box of criminal court from Saint-Nazaire, he is next to his accomplice.

Both are subject to immediate appearance to respond to armed robberies in tobacco shops in Villeneuve-en-Retz and Corcoué-sur-Logne, in Loire-Atlantique, on Saturday 23 and Tuesday 26 November.

They requested and obtained the adjournment of their trial, postponed to January 13, 2025.

Held in prison until trial

Considering the seriousness of the facts, the prosecutor requested and obtained their continued detentionwhile their lawyers pleaded for placement under judicial supervision. One did not hesitate to compare them to “nickel-plated feet”.

The 20-year-old had no convictions on his record; the one who will be 23 in January, father of a two-year-old child, had two mentions until then and is therefore a repeat offender.

The facts

As soon as his business opened this Saturday, the manager of the Villeneuve tobacco press and a customer were attacked by two hooded and gloved men.

The oldest is armed with a baseball bat, his accomplice with a tear gas canister. The duo begs the victims to come out, shouting: “The cartridges”. He leaves in a C3 whose license plates are hidden.

The same events occurred again in Corcoué three days later. Like the Villeneuve victims, the manager and a customer were sprayed with tear gas.

A witness followed the escapees' car, but faced with “too dangerous driving”, he preferred to abandon it.

Violence “because the tobacconists were not obedient”

The police were quick to arrest the thieves in Bois de Cené (Vendée), who admitted “needing money”. The oldest said he had been violent “because the tobacconists were not obedient”.

Only Villeneuve's manager was present at this first appearance. He estimated his loss of merchandise at 7 000 € and its shortfall of 3 000 €.

Part of Courcoué's loot was found.

For a month and a half, the young defendants will spend their first time behind bars.

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