A group of highly organized criminals carried out a daring robbery at the renowned Louvre Museum in Paris, prompting tourists to flee in panic and leading to the museum’s closure. The thieves, described as hooded men, swiftly broke in and absconded with a valuable collection of jewelry that once belonged to historical figures Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte. The heist, lasting only seven minutes, saw the perpetrators making off with items such as a tiara, brooch, and necklace.
French authorities confirmed the incident occurred at the crack of dawn as the museum opened its doors. The criminals gained entry to the iconic building through ongoing construction work, with images revealing the ladder used to access a room within the Apollo Gallery. Utilizing a hand-held disc cutter, the robbers cut through windows to infiltrate the premises, while one individual stood guard outside as the other two executed the theft.
Reports indicated that the suspects arrived on scooters, heavily disguised and equipped with chainsaws. The brazen criminals managed to escape with nine pieces from the Napoleon collection, displaying a high level of organization in their operation. One of the stolen jewels, believed to be the crown of Empress Eugenie, was later discovered damaged outside the museum.
Following the incident, the Louvre Museum, a top tourist destination globally, announced its closure for the day citing “exceptional reasons.” French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, reassured the public that there were no injuries during the robbery and confirmed that a police investigation was in progress.
French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, emphasized the need to temporarily shut down the museum to allow investigators to gather evidence effectively. He acknowledged the vulnerability of French museums to such criminal activities but expressed optimism in swiftly bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Witnesses recounted scenes of chaos and panic inside the Louvre following the robbery, with police attempting to secure the premises and evacuate visitors. The stolen jewelry, part of the opulent collection amassed by Napoleon and Josephine during their reign, holds historical significance and cultural value.