PARIS — For the second time in two months, thieves — relying on surprise and precision timing — have gotten away with millions of dollars in jewels and left authorities with few clues but much embarrassment.

The latest targets were Qatari women in their 60s headed into Paris on Monday from Le Bourget airport, where private planes often land. Masked men stopped the Bentley carrying the women, sprayed them with tear gas, and made off with no less than $5.6 million in jewelry and other valuables.

The incident came just two months after the reality TV icon and Instagram maven Kim Kardashian was tied up and robbed at gunpoint in an exclusive private hotel during Paris Fashion Week. In that episode, the thieves stole a reported $9 million in jewelry.

In recent years, there have been a number of similar robberies in the same area where the Qatari women were attacked. Police say criminals favor the portion of highway around the lengthy so-called Landy Tunnel because of the steady flow of wealthy travelers who frequently pass between Le Bourget or the bigger Charles de Gaulle International Airport and the city.

Washington Post