PRISON BREAK: French Inmate Escapes in Helicopter

A notorious French gangster who made news in 2013 when he used explosives to blast his way out of prison was able to break out of jail again on Sunday -- this time using a helicopter.

Armed commandos stormed their way into the Paris prison and grabbed 46-year-old Redoine Faid, who was waiting for them in a visiting area. They then whisked him away outside and loaded him into a helicopter inside the prison yard. The aircraft took off and flew away.

Prison officials say the carefully planned escape took only a few minutes. The helicopter was later found abandoned, but Faid and his accomplices are at large.

Faid was serving a 25-year sentence for masterminding a botched robbery in which a police officer was killed. He used explosives to blast out of prison in 2013 and was recaptured six weeks later. (BBC)