LONDON -- Formula 1 driver Jenson Button and wife model Jessica Michibata were the victims of a bizarre robbery earlier this week after thieves pumped gas into their rented villa in the south of France while lifting valuables worth hundreds of thousands.
The British driver's spokesperson confirmed the incident to BBC News, saying they were unharmed in the robbery but were "unsurprisingly shaken" by the strange event.
Authorities, according to The Sun newspaper, believe two thieves pumped the anaesthetic gas into the villa through the air conditioning vents, only entering the property once they knew the couple were unconscious.
The thieves reportedly made off with items from the couple's bedroom, including Michibata's five-carat diamond engagement ring. Three of Button and Michibata's friends were also in the villa at the time.
Police told The Sun that robberies are a growing problem in the area with gangs targeting wealthy visitors to the French Riviera.
It's not the first time an incident like this has happened in the region, in 2002 British TV presenters Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine were gassed as they slept in a villa in Cannes during the film festival. Thieves knocked the two unconscious before walking away with jewellery.