Early Friday morning, a man armed with a knife broke into the Ministry of Health building in Paris's 7th arrondissement. After searching dozens of offices and stealing computer equipment, he was spotted by security guards and then arrested by police.
An emergency exit left open
The incident occurred around 6 a.m. The individual reportedly entered the building through an emergency exit that was supposed to be locked but had been left open. The man, armed with a kitchen knife intended for cutting meat, then moved through the ministry's corridors. He went up to the first floor before searching approximately forty offices.
Spotted by the cameras, he brandished his knife
His presence was eventually detected on CCTV footage. Ministry security officers then gave chase inside the building. Under pursuit, the individual brandished his knife to keep the officers at bay. He then managed to leave the premises through the same emergency exit he had used to enter.
Seven business computers were recovered
A police patrol quickly tracked him down in the streets of the capital. During his escape, the man discarded two bags. Inside, officers discovered seven stolen work computers from the Ministry of Health offices. A lock-picking kit was also found among his belongings.
The suspect is banned from entering Paris
The man was arrested and taken into custody. According to initial reports, he was already subject to a restraining order prohibiting him from entering Paris as part of a judicial supervision order. The reason for this order has not been specified. Investigators will now have to determine the exact circumstances of his intrusion into the ministry, as well as why the emergency exit was accessible at the time of the incident.
