Gang des postiches
1981–1986 bank robbers in Paris
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Key Takeaways
- The Gang des postiches (French: Hairpiece Gang ) was a team of bank robbers that operated in Paris between 1981 and 1986, robbing around thirty banks.
- After entering the bank, they would separate into two groups, the first responsible for taking hostages, while the second went about acquiring cash and emptying safe deposit boxes (which were not under surveillance during opening hours).
- They convened to commit a series of hold-ups, even several on the same day, then separated for a while (Berliner, for example, lived in the countryside near Carrouges with his wife and son), sometimes going abroad, before they would reconvene.
The Gang des postiches (French: Hairpiece Gang) was a team of bank robbers that operated in Paris between 1981 and 1986, robbing around thirty banks.
They would enter the bank dressed in common clothing and wearing false mustaches, beards, and wigs (from which they got their name). After entering the bank, they would separate into two groups, the first responsible for taking hostages, while the second went about acquiring cash and emptying safe deposit boxes (which were not under surveillance during opening hours).
It is estimated that the total value of their activities may have exceeded 30 million euro.
Organisation
The gang was centered around individuals from Belleville, who had been friends and delinquents from a young age:
- Sidi Mohamed Badaoui, nicknamed Bada (who was killed before the group became active as "the gang"; it has been suggested that after this event the gang abhorred violence)
- Bruno Berliner, nicknamed Beau sourire (Nice smile)
- André Bellaïche, nicknamed Dédé
- Patrick Geay, nicknamed Pougache
- Robert Marguery, nicknamed Bichon
- Jean-Claude Myszka
It is known that the group consisted of a core group of five or six (maybe eight) members from eastern Paris, but there were other loose members as well. They convened to commit a series of hold-ups, even several on the same day, then separated for a while (Berliner, for example, lived in the countryside near Carrouges with his wife and son), sometimes going abroad, before they would reconvene. The team is considered one of the most prolific in France's history.
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