Thieves wearing balaclavas carried out a daring heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, using a crane to break into an upper-level window and stealing valuable items from the section housing the French crown jewels. The incident has raised concerns about security at the renowned museum, which had previously highlighted inadequate investment in its protection measures. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the theft as an attack on the nation’s heritage and vowed to recover the stolen works.
The robbery occurred around 9:30 a.m. while the museum was open to the public, with the perpetrators entering the Galerie d’Apollon wing. Despite being unarmed, the thieves brandished angle grinders to intimidate the guards during the six to seven-minute operation. A total of nine objects were targeted, with eight successfully stolen, including the crown of Empress Eugénie, which was dropped by the fleeing thieves.
According to estimates, the missing items, such as tiaras, necklaces, and earrings from various royal sets, hold significant historical and financial value. Surprisingly, the Regent diamond, valued at over $60 million US, was left untouched. The investigation into the heist has been assigned to a specialized police unit known for solving high-profile theft cases.
Authorities are exploring various leads to apprehend the culprits, considering possibilities ranging from organized crime involvement to the theft being orchestrated by collectors or individuals solely interested in the valuable jewels. The Louvre, a popular tourist destination, announced its closure for the day following the incident, prompting reactions from visitors who were evacuated from the premises.
The iconic Mona Lisa, famously stolen in 1911 and later recovered, stands as a reminder of the museum’s vulnerability to art theft. Calls for enhanced security measures at the Louvre have been ongoing, with officials stressing the need to modernize security protocols to combat evolving criminal tactics.