French homeowner lays explosive traps for burglars
A man in his 70s in C么tes-d'Armor (Brittany) surprised the local gendarmerie this week after laying homemade explosive traps around his property, to deter and catch potential burglars.
The explosives were actually discovered after a failed attempted break-in. Gendarmerie visited the property and promptly sent a bomb clearance team in via helicopter to diffuse the devices safely.
The 71-year-old resident of Yvignac-la-Tour, near Dinan, had set explosive traps around his property, and put up signs saying 鈥淏eware, traps鈥�, with image of skulls on the exterior walls.
On the night of Sunday September 23, six burglars the property, but took flight after a car passed by the street.
When the gendarmerie arrived to investigate, officers discovered the traps.
The commune鈥檚 mayor, Jean-Luc Boissel, : 鈥淭he house was covered all over in traps. They were set in strategic places that could have seriously injured [any burglars].鈥�
Mr Boissel added: 鈥淧eople in the commune often spoke about this house, saying that it was set up with traps, but we didn鈥檛 know if it was just a myth. Well, no - it turned out to be true.鈥�
The house, which is in a rural area, is surrounded by trees and a high gate. The owner in the town, with some rumours suggesting he may be a former private bodyguard.
