Bikini bandits charged after hot pursuit through Paris

Six brothers suspected of robbing a chic beachwear store before dodging police bullets and leading a car chase through Paris, have been rounded up and charged, legal sources said Wednesday.

The thieves are accused of stealing swimsuits, Bermuda shorts and T-shirts with a street value of up to 100,000 euros ($109,000) in Thursday's robbery, from a store of the up-market Vilebrequin chain.

A source close to the investigation said police arriving at the scene of the crime near the Champs-Elysees found obstacles barring entry to the store.

A policeman fired three shots in the direction of the robbers -- one of whom pointed a gun at them -- but the men managed to get away, leading to a car chase through Paris to the eastern suburb of Fontenay-sous-Bois.

With one of its tyres burst, passengers of the getaway vehicle threw fire extinguishers out of the window in a bid to block the police pursuit.

Police later tracked the suspects to a house in Fontenay-sous-Bois where they found the gang of brothers and half-brothers as well as thousands of euros in cash.

Six men aged between 18 and 22 were charged on Saturday and investigative sources said they are being probed for involvement in other similar robberies of high-end clothing.

Vilebrequin charges up to 120 euros ($132) for a bikini top and 450 euros for a pair of men's shorts.