American celebrity jeweller robbed of ‘more than €1m’ at French Riviera Airbnb

A Nigerian-born American jeweller has been robbed of jewellery and cash worth ‘more than €1m’’ after burglars broke into his French Riviera rental Airbnb on Tuesday (January 6).

Chris Aire, whose pieces have been worn by celebrities including Clint Eastwood, Shaggy, and Halle Berry, was renting an Airbnb in Villefranche-sur-Mer, close to Nice (Alpes-Maritimes). The property was located on boulevard Lazare Settimelli, near the bay and train station.

Police were called to the property around 20:30, and Mr Aire told them that items worth ‘more than €1m’ had been taken, in addition to €6,000 in cash.

Early investigations showed there were no signs of forced entry to the property, and CCTV footage for the residency is being reviewed. 

Public prosecutor for Nice Damien Martinelli confirmed that an investigation for ‘aggravated theft’ has been opened and handed over to judicial police. 

“This was a burglary without violence… the alleged damage exceeds €1m,” he said. 

Mr Aire, known as ‘The King of Bling’ for his high-value pieces, has not commented publicly on the incident.