Robber runs away as Paris police releases hostages

Paris: As many as six people who were taken hostage on Friday last were released safe and sound inside a travel agency in the southern district of the French capital on Saturday. The armed robber who seized them was absconding.

The police officer tweeted, “Armed robbery on Massena Boulevard in Paris: operation over. Six people have left. The thief is not on the premises."

According to the mayor of Paris, “A single gunman burst into the travel agency on Friday night, but the owner managed to escape and alert the police. Nobody was taken hostage during the encounter."

According to a senior police officer:

• No one was injured during the incident.
• A special police team checked the premises through CCTV.
• Employees were scared but there was no robber.
• Further investigation regarding the case was underway.