Unlucky Robbers Hit McDonald's Where Special Forces Are Eating

There's having bad luck, and then there's having whatever the two men who allegedly tried to rob a McDonald's last Sunday in France have. The Telegraph reports that—unaware to the robbers—11 of the 40 or so diners in the McDonald's were off-duty members of a French special forces unit described as “among the most effective anti-terror forces in Europe.” Not only that, but the unit specializes in hostage situations, according to NPR. The Washington Post reports it was created following the hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Authorities say the robbers entered the McDonald's and one fired a shotgun into the air before demanding money. The AFP reports the special forces soldiers didn't do anything during the robbery so as not to endanger civilians. But as the robbers were leaving with nearly $2,300, one of them tripped. The soldiers took the opportunity to restrain him then shot his partner who allegedly refused to drop the gun he was pointing at the soldiers. Both men were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and violence. No one but the suspects was harmed during the incident. (More weird crimes stories.)