Riots in Marseille led to the theft of dozens of cars from a dealership, which were later used in crimes, sparking concerns in the automotive sector.
Riots target car dealership in Marseille
In the night of October 17 to 18, the Cap Milanesio dealership in Marseille was robbed of dozens of Skoda, Cupra, and Seat vehicles during riots. These cars later reappeared in robberies, raising concerns within the local automotive sector.Stolen cars cause widespread damage
New cars, ready for delivery, disappeared in the chaos of the riots. The violence extended to the parking lots of automotive professionals, with more than a thousand vehicles damaged on public roads nationwide, according to initial estimates from civil security.Dealership suffers significant losses
The Cap Milanesio dealership, located in the northern quarters of Marseille, distributes Skoda, Cupra, and Seat for the Volkswagen group. Dozens of cars were stolen after a forced entry. The dealership's owners estimate the damage from stolen vehicles at between 600,000 and 800,000 euros.Thieves strike in organized fashion
The group of thieves was estimated to consist of about fifty individuals, who managed to steal the vehicles before dawn. On site, several vehicles were damaged, sometimes crashed into each other, and the administrative offices were heavily damaged. The case adds to at least five two-wheel vehicle dealerships hit the same night, with about 34 motorcycles and scooters also stolen, leading to damage exceeding one million euros according to the Mobilians union.Stolen cars used in further crimes
From the beginning of the investigation, the police considered that the stolen cars would be used for other criminal acts. This scenario was confirmed in the days following the looting of Cap Milanesio. At least two robberies were committed using vehicles from the dealership, detected by automated surveillance systems.Investigation ongoing with national impact
The investigation in Marseille has led to the arrest of four people, who were placed under formal investigation and released under judicial supervision. Investigators are still trying to identify the rest of the group, estimated at about fifty individuals, and trace the path of each vehicle used in these robberies. Nationally, nearly 64,000 vehicles have been stolen in 2025, with the cost estimated at around 600 million euros for insurance. This figure illustrates the extent of the problem for automotive professionals, particularly in a city like Marseille, which has experienced several waves of riots.
