Police investigate luxury watch thefts during Monaco Grand Prix weekend

Judicial officials confirmed that five separate incidents involving expensive timepieces were recorded during the event, which attracts thousands of wealthy spectators, celebrities and business figures to the Principality each year.

One case has already led to a conviction.

A man in his thirties from the United States received a three-month suspended prison sentence and was banned from entering Monaco for five years after being found guilty of stealing a luxury watch on 6 June.

Investigators later recovered the stolen Rolex, valued at around €10,000, from a hotel room in neighbouring France.

The watch was returned to its owner following cooperation between French and Monegasque authorities.

Meanwhile, investigations into the remaining incidents are continuing.

Prosecutors confirmed that another suspect has appeared before the courts and remains in pre-trial detention as part of a wider judicial inquiry.

Luxury watch thefts have become an increasing concern at major international events, where organised gangs often target individuals wearing high-value watches in crowded locations.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the five cases are connected, but enquiries remain ongoing as police seek to determine whether organised groups were operating in and around Monaco during the Grand Prix weekend.