A modern-day escape artist is at it again in the heart of France leading the charge as the most wanted man in that country. A second daring escape, even more elaborate than the first, has investigators scrambling and everyone wondering. Who is this man, where will he go, what will he do?
A man inspired Scarface, and Reservoir Dogs, the dashing and charming face of crime in France, Redoine Faid is at it again. Perhaps part of a new generation of criminals in the world that could capture and intrigue thousands…
A Quite Day Ended
It was over in a matter of minutes. The whirl of the helicopter blades descended into the courtyard of the prison kicking up the dust and dirt of the grounds. The only open area accessible to them due to an oversight of the prison security, a gap of the netting.
A Gap In The Fence
The netting meant to stop helicopters from coming into the prison grounds didn’t cover this one patch, perhaps as a way to allow easy prison transfer or to bring in dangerous convicts without the worry of an escort driving through the streets. Whatever the reason, as the sound grew louder the plan got closer and closer to completion.
The Mystery Man
Inside the prison was the target, a man named Redione Faid, who was serving his second sentence behind the walls of the Paris prison. At the time he was meeting with his brother in the provided meeting areas when the men stormed in to grab him. But why him? What was so important about this man?
The Lure Of Crime
Redoine Faid was for a time considered the most wanted man in France during a few months in 2013. He was born to immigrant parents in France and lived somewhat of a normal life growing up but somewhere along the way had turned from a lawful road and entered into the life of crime, a life of extravagance and luxury.
How It Began
Redoine’s first major run in with the law came in the 1990’s on the heels of a fantastic crime. At the time Faid was the co- leader of a gang along with Jean-Claude Bisel. The two of them had planned a heist in the downtown district of Paris along with 6 other men.
Best Laid Plans
Not everything had gone to plan however and during the robbery someone unfortunately had been killed which added to the list of crimes the gang committed that day. When the police arrived to the scene the gang scattered and went on the run, 6 of the 8 had been captured. One fled to Algeria, never to be found and Faid….
The Chase
For the next three years Faid jumped from country to country while interpool began their search. During this time he traveled from France to Switzerland and eventually to Israel where he posed as an Orthodox Jew and was trained by a member of the IDF in firearms and combat.
When interpool finally caught up with him, Redoine was made to stand trial for the robbery that occurred three years prior. Courts at the time found him guilty of all the charges and he was sentenced to 30 years, however thanks to good behavior, in 2008 he was released on parole and wrote a book in 2009.
Second Attempt
Leading the quiet civilian life didn’t sit well with Redoine though, and behind the scenes he began to plot and scheme all over again having not learnt from the events in the late 90’s. This time he wouldn’t make a mistake, this time he thought, it would all go according to the plan.
Guilty By Association
In 2011 Faid was arrested for believing to be the mastermind behind an armed robbery and murder of a French police officer. He wasn’t at the scene of the crime but authorities were convinced that it was his doing. When he was taken to court, his sentence was only for 8 years compared to his previous 30, but he would serve much less…..
Blow Your Nose and a Door
Determined not to be held behind bars Faid devised a clever way to end his incarceration. For you see, Redoine Faid is a clever and intelligent man who had no intention of spending his days behind bars. While still in an unknown fashion, Faid managed to sneak explosives into the prison in pocket sized tissue packages
Two Cars, Four Guards, Five Doors
He blew his way through a series of locked and barred doors, and held four guards captive during his plan. He left the grounds with the help of a getaway car that was left burning a few miles up the road and transferred to another car. The man hunt for Faid started again as interpol put out the search warrants to find him at all cost.
Breakfast and Arrest
For 45 days Faid was able to avoid the police, for 45 days he ran and fled across the hills of France before finally being caught up with at a bed and breakfast in the region of Seine-et-Marne. Redoine has many friends in Israel and it was believed that he was heading back there once he aquired documents to travel abroad with.
Family Gathering
Faid was returned to prison though it was never announced how long they expected him to stay this time, but we can assume it was longer than he actually did. Faid received regular visits from his brother in prison, his only real visitor. Surprisingly we don’t know what they spoke about but it must not have bene any concern to police.
Back To Now
It was during one of these meetings that the approaching helicopter could be heard as its blades chopped through the air. Inside the helicopter were the three man who were tasked to assist in his escape, just over 5 years after he was arrested. Clad in black balaclavas and police armbands, they were ready….
A Stunning Plan
The trio had the pilot, who had been kidnapped and held as gunpoint, land in the courtyard and to leave the chopper running as it were. Two of the men jumped from the chopper to search for Faid while the third made sure that their kidnapped pilot didn’t try to take off and leave them there stranded and the whim of the police
Locks Mean Nothing
The two men who entered the prison laid down a smoke screen so they couldn’t be seen easily by the cameras while they searched the facility. The pair approached the visiting room and using a grinder sawed through the lock of the door, before quickly rushing in taking Redoine and leaving his brother behind.
Get to the Choppa
Unarmed guards in the facility tried in vain to stop the three from retreating but were unable to even slow them down. The men, who were heavily armed returned to the helicopter, and within minutes the now party of four escaped back into the air. At the prison guards alerted the local authorities to track the helicopter as it rapidly pulled away from the prison grounds.
Another Day Another Fire
The authorities lost track of the helicopter for a time, which was all that was needed for the next part of their escape. Setting the helicopter down, they freed the pilot who was mostly unharmed despite the kidnapping, set it on fire, and escaped in a secondary vehicle to throw France and interpol off their scent.
Back To Israel?
Police and international investigators have been questioning Redoine’s brother trying to figure out what he knows. Perhaps he will return to Israel and train further, or maybe he will run somewhere out of the reach of interpol. The manhunt continues but authorities warn everyone that he is very dangerous despite being very charming, but as of now it is anyones guess where he could be….
