In a daring daylight heist at the renowned Louvre museum in central Paris, historic crown jewels valued at £76 million were stolen. The elaborate seven-minute operation involved thieves using chainsaws to scale the building and gain access through a window. Recent reports suggest that the theft may have been facilitated by an inside job, with evidence indicating possible collaboration between a museum security guard and the robbers.
The thieves utilized a furniture lift to reach the first floor and break into the Galerie d’Apollon, where the jewels were on display. During the robbery, nine priceless pieces from the Napoleon and Empress Joséphine collection were taken, with one item dropped during the escape. The culprits fled on motorbikes through the streets of central Paris after descending via a cherry picker.
Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the Louvre Museum robbery, one of whom was intercepted at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria. The museum’s director offered to resign following the incident, acknowledging a security failure due to a mispositioned camera in the gallery.
The theft has sparked national outrage, with concerns raised about the slim chances of recovering the stolen valuables. French culture minister Rachida Dati has initiated an administrative inquiry alongside the police investigation to ensure transparency. Despite the security lapses, the minister emphasized that the Louvre museum’s security system functioned as intended.
