200 detonators stolen from French army

French authorities are investigating the theft of roughly 200 detonators plus grenades and plastic explosives from a military site in southeastern France, officials say.

The thefts at the Miramas site, which is operated by a combination of military services west of Marseille, appears to have occurred overnight from Sunday to Monday. The break-in comes as France has strengthened its security measures after two deadly attacks by extremists this year.

Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin says in a statement that an investigation has started on charges of “theft with break-in carried out by a criminal group” and “fraudulent entry into a military compound.”

An official with the gendarmerie police force, which generally runs law enforcement in more rural areas of France, says the thief or thieves appeared to have cut through a fence to enter the high-security site. The official was not authorized to speak publicly because the operation is ongoing.

— AP