Gun-wielding bandits in hostage drama after robbing Paris' Cartier store

Two men with an AK-47 assault rifle robbed a Cartier jewellery store near Paris's Champs-Elysees, leading to a police chase and a brief hostage-taking when they sought refuge in a hair salon.

The suspects agreed to release the hostage and turn themselves in, with the entire drama lasting about two hours. Police recovered a cache of jewels the men had stolen.

One witness inside the Cartier store located in a busy tourist area said the two men, who did not seem "professional", burst in late in the day and forced the three customers and about 10 staff to lie down. They then demanded that the store's showcases be opened, but were interrupted by the sound of police sirens as they gathered jewellery.

The suspects fled with the store manager. A witness said he saw one of them dressed in a trench coat and a beret, with a towel on one hand and holding the hostage with the other.

"Everyone tried to hide," said the witness, who gave his name as Vincent and had been at a nearby restaurant's terrace.