Riots: they buy a tobacconist bar and are looted just a few hours later

Tobacco bars were the particular target of rioters, mainly because of the value of the products they stock. According to the federation of the sector, 429 of these establishments were vandalized at the national level.

This is the case of Balto, in Saint-Nazaire in Loire-Atlantique. A scare for its operators, especially since they became the owners of this tobacco bar a few hours before it was looted.

Helped by an anonymous young man

as related West of FranceThe deed is signed at the notary at 4:00 p.m., and at 10:00 p.m., the business was emptied by the rioters. “After signing, we gave ourselves a few days to open. We were still in Saint-Nazaire at night,” Cédric Beaujouan, one of the managers, explains to the regional newspaper.

At night, they watch the looting of their store from a distance, thanks to surveillance cameras.

“The alarm went off. We called the police,” says the owner. But meanwhile, one of the looters sets fire to the chairs. Fortunately, “a young boy, without a hood, intervened to remove what was burning. We thank him, he could have prevented the entire building from burning down.”

PMU in support

The damage amounts to tens of thousands of euros. Cédric Beaujouan has the prompt support of his insurer and underlines the benevolence of his suppliers, in particular the Française des Jeux.

It should be remembered that the PMU announced its support for the replacement of all PMU equipment that has been vandalized at points of sale (terminals, cash registers, tablets, etc.). It will also significantly increase the development fund established several years ago.

It will also provide cash advances for outlets that reopen. Other specific aid is provided for vandalized points of sale.

Because reopenings will take time. The delays are, for example, long for the replacement of windows. “We are looking forward to tidying up, cleaning up, continuing to recruit. And really looking forward to meeting customers. We understand that the Balto is an important place in Saint-Nazaire”, wants to believe Cédric Beaujouan.