【Fort-de-Fran】After Daylight Jewelry Store Robbery, Sense of Insecurity Rises

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Editor’s Note

This report details a brazen daylight robbery in Fort-de-France, underscoring growing concerns over public safety in Martinique’s capital. The incident reflects a broader climate of insecurity affecting the local community.

Après le braquage d’une bijouterie en plein jour, le sentiment d’insécurité grimpe
Daylight Robbery in Fort-de-France

On Wednesday afternoon (September 17), a jewelry store on Lamartine Street, right in the city center of Fort-de-France, was targeted by a robbery committed by three men. This new episode of violence in the capital amplifies the sense of insecurity shared by many Martiniquans.

The Robbery Unfolds

Around 4:30 PM, three young men, around twenty years old, wearing gloves and hoods, one of them armed with an automatic pistol, entered the Martinique Bijoux jewelry store. Inside were two people: the manager and his cousin. However, thanks to the quick intervention of the manager’s brother, the three individuals found themselves locked inside the boutique. The police then deployed a significant security operation. After 40 minutes of negotiations with the RAID (French police tactical unit), the weapon was surrendered, and the three suspects eventually gave up without resistance.

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“A New Level of Violence”

For the mayor of Fort-de-France, Didier Laguerre, this rapid intervention is commendable, but it also reveals a worrying escalation in violence.

“Thanks to the patrols that have been set up in the city center since the triple murder in May and the collaboration between law enforcement and merchants, the robbers were indeed arrested. There are no serious injuries, so that’s a lesser evil, but it simply shows us that we are once again reaching a new level of violence on the territory of Martinique.”

Edouard Bellance, the father of the manager and owner of the jewelry store, also gave his account.

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A Climate of Insecurity

This new episode of violence reinforces the sense of insecurity among local residents. Some denounce a lack of police presence in the city center.

“I drive around Fort-de-France during the day, I don’t see any police vehicles, no national police, no municipal police, there is no security in Fort-de-France. Already, at night, it has become dangerous. Today, it’s going to be dangerous during the day. Means have been promised and there is no progress. We need to send people. The city center needs to be secured because the merchants can no longer work, no one comes anymore. Everyone goes to shopping centers. But here, there was a life, Fort-de-France. People came, they came to do everything. There was something. Today, there is nothing left.”

This observation is tempered by Hélène Agricole, president of the association “Label Foyal” which brings together female merchants from Fort-de-France:

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“What is happening in Fort-de-France is simply a consequence of what is happening in Martinique and simply a consequence of what is happening in France. It’s not worse in Fort-de-France than elsewhere. And all of this is the climate created by current politics. It’s deplorable for the merchant who remained for a few hours, was held at gunpoint in his closed store, not knowing what to do, nor what was happening outside. Obviously it’s deplorable. But I repeat, it’s not worse in Fort-de-France than in Martinique in general and in France. We must not stigmatize Fort-de-France.”

An investigation is underway to identify any possible accomplices and determine the precise circumstances of this robbery.

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⏰ Published on: September 18, 2025