Alleged robber-cops become Internet sensation

Two French policemen were suspended from duty on Tuesday after they were filmed apparently robbing a mobile phone shop in Paris.

The policemen, who belong to the police intelligence services responsible for illegal immigration control, then asked staff to lower the shop’s blinds while they went behind the counter and apparently helped themselves to mobile phone top-up cards.

Witnesses said they also took other items from the shop.

When the officers left the premises, staff caught up with them, got hold of one of them and called the police, who turned up and took everyone, including the staff and alleged robber-officers, to a police station.

The two policemen were later placed under arrest.

The CCTV camera in the shop captured the event, and the film was posted online, becoming an overnight Internet sensation. By noon on Tuesday, it had been viewed 267,000 times on the Dailymotion website.

The two policemen, who have not been named, were charged Monday with aggravated robbery and bailed pending trial.