Thieves Pull Off Audacious Heist at Louvre Museum
In a bold move, a group of robbers managed to break into the Louvre Museum in Paris, using a truck-mounted lift to reach a second-floor window. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau shared that the thieves pretended to be movers, threatening the equipment owner when they arrived on the scene.
The heist took place early Sunday morning, and authorities believe the criminals were inside for less than four minutes. They forced open a window and smashed display cases to steal royal jewelry valued at over $100 million, including a sapphire diadem and pieces associated with 19th-century queens.
The stolen items include an emerald necklace related to Empress Marie-Louise and special diadems once owned by Empress Eugénie. Some pieces were later found outside the museum, damaged but recoverable.
Beccuau mentioned that the investigation team has expanded to 100 members, as they believe organized crime may be involved. Officials are exploring whether the robbery was planned by a collector or if the criminals acted independently, aiming to sell the jewels for profit.
Interestingly, the stolen items were not insured, as it’s common for state collections to go without coverage due to high costs. Investigators are currently examining evidence left at the scene, including clothing and containers.
The museum reopened shortly after, welcoming visitors back to see its famous collection. The incident has sparked discussions on security measures, as this break-in has drawn comparisons to the 2019 Notre-Dame Cathedral fire in terms of public shock.
