Jewel thieves on the run after Paris auction heist

PARIS—Three thieves were on the run Wednesday after snatching a briefcase containing 300,000 euros worth of jewels outside the famous Drouot auction house in Paris.

The thieves used tear gas to incapacitate two auctioneers and two assistants outside the auction house in central Paris around 6 p.m. (1700 GMT), police said.

They then grabbed the briefcase containing about 300,000 euros ($412,000) worth of jewels and escaped on a motorcycle.

The two of thieves continued their escape in a car parked near the auction house, but, in an apparent bid to confound pursuers, switched cars by stealing a vehicle from a passing driver.

Police lost track of them in the Paris suburbs.