Russian consulate worker leaves France after being questioned in stolen bike scam
An employee of the Russian consulate in Strasbourg is suspected of selling dozens of stolen bikes, French media reported on March 22.
According to reports, a 40-year-old driver from the Russian diplomatic mission was arrested for questioning on February 14 but released 24 hours later as police continued to investigate.
When the police wanted to question the suspect a second time later in February, they were informed by the consulate that he had returned to Russia for “health reasons”.
Police launched the investigation after the theft of an expensive electric bicycle belonging to the former deputy mayor of Strasbourg, Alain Fontanel, in a street near the diplomatic quarter of Strasbourg.
Fontanel spoke to the police after seeing his bike put up for sale on the Leboncoin site a few days later.
Police contacted the seller who agreed to sell the bike at a site right next to the Russian Consulate.
The man had a fake purchase receipt with a stamp from the Russian consulate as well as Fontanel’s bicycle identified by its serial number later, and three other bicycles.
Police later discovered that some 300 ads for high-quality bikes had been posted on the Leboncoin site since January 2020, with a potential value of up to 100,000 euros ($ 120,000).
The investigation continues as prosecutors assess whether to continue a trial even if the suspect remains out of reach.