Latvian Thief Sentenced for Luxury Boutique Thefts in Monaco's Métropole

A Latvian national has been sentenced to two months in prison and faces a five-year ban from Monaco after committing multiple thefts at luxury stores within the Métropole shopping center, totaling damages around €3,000. The thefts, which included belts, perfumes, and clothing items, occurred over several months and involved high-end boutiques such as Louboutin and Dolce & Gabbana.

Investigations into the thefts were aided by video surveillance and led to the identification of the 40-year-old man, who was residing between Cannes and Beausoleil despite an existing ban from French territory. The suspect, who has prior offenses in Latvia and was listed by Interpol, was tried in immediate appearance in Monaco. Despite initially denying his involvement and providing implausible defenses, he eventually acknowledged stealing items for resale, citing financial hardship.

The prosecution, led by Christine Mutiloa, characterized the defendant as a professional thief targeting prestigious stores for profit, recommending a two-month prison term and a ten-year exclusion from Monaco. However, after deliberations, the court imposed a reduced ban of five years, reaffirming Monaco’s strict stance on protecting its luxury retail environment from repeat offenders.