A sophisticated criminal group disguised as construction workers executed a swift heist at the Louvre today, making off with valuable jewelry linked to Napoleon and his kin. The daring robbery occurred at 9:30 am, just before the museum’s opening time, prompting a closure for the day as French authorities and museum personnel assessed the crime scene.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez disclosed that the meticulously planned theft lasted a mere seven minutes, resulting in the disappearance of nine valuable pieces, two of which were later recovered damaged. The thieves, dressed as laborers with helmets and reflective vests, targeted a wing of the Louvre near the Seine River undergoing construction. Accessing a window close to the Galerie d’Apollon using an extendable ladder on a flat-bed truck, they cut through the window with a handheld disc cutter and used a chainsaw to breach display cabinets.
The stolen Eugénie Crown, crafted in 1855 during the Second Empire, adorned with diamonds and emeralds, was found broken at the crime scene. The Galerie d’Apollon, associated with King Louis XIV, is renowned for its valuable jewels. The loot, including another crown, emerald earrings, and a brooch, prompted an investigation into theft and criminal conspiracy by a well-organized criminal syndicate.
Authorities, led by the Banditism Repression Brigade and the Central Office for Combating Trafficking in Cultural Property, are diligently working on the case. The Louvre closure was necessary to preserve evidence, with efforts underway to swiftly track down the culprits. Surveillance footage is under scrutiny, hinting at the possibility of foreign involvement.
The robbers’ meticulous planning and reconnaissance were evident, with one of the getaway mopeds later discovered abandoned nearby. Though the incident caused no injuries, the Louvre’s closure for exceptional reasons underscores the gravity of the situation. The theft, reminiscent of past art heists in Paris, has drawn condemnation from officials and the public, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures to safeguard cultural treasures.