From Jenson Button to Patrick Viera and Richard Hammond: How gangs have targeted celebrities with gas before raiding exclusive holiday properties - as Nick Grimshaw becomes latest victim By Rory Tingle Published: 17:27 BST, 23 August 2024 | Updated: 17:44 BST, 23 August 2024 e-mail View comments Raids on the holiday homes of celebrities by robbers using gas are far from unheard of, with a series of stars targeted over the years. Nick Grimshaw and his 81-year-old mother Eileen recently became the latest victims of the horrific tactic when they were sedated in their Ibiza villa. Grimmy, who shot to fame on BBC Radio 1 in 2012, was celebrating his 40th birthday when he was targeted by the gang in a terrifying night time raid.
While Nick had rented the villa to celebrate the milestone with his family and fiancé Mesh Henry, it is believed the gang had no idea who he was and the address was targeted as it was known to be 'used by high net worth clients'. Other stars who are believed to have fallen victim to the tactic include racing driver Jenson Button, footballer Patrick Vieira and former Top Gear host Richard Hammond . Yet there has been controversy over some of the reported raids, with experts occasionally disputing whether gas could have been used.
Below, MailOnline reveals the previous cases. Nick Grimshaw jetted out to Ibiza to celebrate his 40th birthday this month before falling victim to a horrific burglary. He is pictured last week The host and his 81-year-old mother Eileen were sedated by a criminal gang in Ibiza and terrorised in his villa (Pictured in London in February 2017) Richard Hammond: Gas robbers make off with daughter's watch and cash from party guests Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond and his wife Mindy were gassed before being burgled as they slept in their Saint Tropez villa in 2018 .
Hammond, Mindy, and 15 other guests were targeted by raiders who used anesthetic gas to knock them out before rifling through rooms for cash and jewellery. She revealed that she almost walked in on the burglars after hearing a noise in the hallway - but instead turned away after assuming it was another couple in the villa. Mindy told the Express: 'That just makes my blood run cold.
I could have easily walked in and it could have been unpleasant.' Richard Hammond and his wife Mindy were gassed before being burgled as they slept in their Saint Tropez villa in 2018 The Grand Tour host slept through the burglary. The raiders were caught on camera entering neighbouring villas, and were arrested days later after the raid last month.
Read More Nick Grimshaw's luxury Ibiza villa was on target list of 'sedative gas gang' Burglars made off with their 15-year-old daughter Willow's watch, as well as cash from the handbags of guests who had been at a 1920s-themed cocktail party. Other Riviera villas in the area have also experienced gas raids in recent months. Mindy added: 'You have got to have some kind of confidence to do that and to be quite satisfied that people aren’t going to wake up.
It wasn't until the following day that Mindy realised what had happened. She said: 'That morning I slept in until eight. I didn’t even wake to Richard’s snoring! Nobody woke up.
' Jenson Button: £300,000 worth of valuables stolen (but was he actually gassed?) Jenson Button and his ex wife Jessica were with friends in St Tropez in 2015 when thieves broke in and stole valuables worth £300,000 including Mrs Button's engagement ring, believed to be worth £250,000 . It was claimed the Formula One driver, then 35, and his wife may have been knocked out by gas pumped into the house through air conditioning units. A source close to Button said the Grand Prix star was 'convinced' that's what happened.
They added that Button and his friends weren't disturbed during the raid as the effects of the gas gave the burglars 'free rein'. Jenson Button was targeted by thieves in St Tropez in 2015 Button with his ex wife Jessica in 2015 However, Liam Brennan, vice president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, later poured scorn on the idea. Dr Brennan said: 'I cannot think of any agent that could be used in this way that could be delivered in an effective concentration into a large environment to produce the effect desired.
' Read More Strictly Come Dancing return date REVEALED after series of scandals A spokesman for the RCA added: 'You would need to use a truckload of gas, and that amount would be phenomenally expensive to obtain. One has to ask why anyone would spend so much money on what is such an impractical method.' Police in St Tropez last night confirmed they were investigating the burglary – but stressed claims of gas being used did not come from them.
Blood samples provided by the couple were being examined by French police scientists. Deputy prosecutor Philippe Guemas said: 'To our knowledge there has never been a burglary like this in St Tropez where gas was used to knock out the victims. Nothing has been established.
Jenson Button's entourage has made this claim as the driver didn't feel well the following day.' Mrs Button, a former model, had recently posted photographs on her Twitter account of her posing in a bikini with her engagement ring. Patrick Vieira: Robbers pump gas through air conditioning system of Cannes home The brutal tactic of burglars gassing their victims appears to have been in use for decades, with Patrick Vieira targeted as far back as 2006.
The former Arsenal Captain was preparing for the World Cup when robbers pumped gas through the air conditioning system of his family's villa near Cannes in the south of France. Vieira, then 29, his wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Cheries, were all knocked unconscious before finally waking up with a splitting headache. Patrick Vieira and his wife Cheryl were targeted with the brutal tactic as far back as 2006 The family then discovered jewellery and other valuables worth thousands of pounds were missing — along with the footballer's £40,000 Mercedes, which the gang used as a getaway car.
The vehicle was found abandoned in Nice. Despite the ordeal, Vieira travelled to link up with the rest of the France squad after being given the all-clear by doctors. Five men were later arrested and interviewed by police.
Vieira is now 48 and most recently managed Ligue 1 club RC Strasbourg between 2023 and 2024. Richard Hammond Top Gear Jenson Button Share or comment on this article: From Jenson Button to Patrick Viera and Richard Hammond: How gangs have targeted celebrities with gas before raiding exclusive holiday properties - as Nick Grimshaw becomes latest victim e-mail Add comment.
