In a swift daytime robbery lasting merely four minutes, a group of thieves armed with chainsaws successfully broke into the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris and absconded with nine pieces of valuable jewelry dating back to the Napoleon era. The audacious heist was executed through the river Seine entrance, with the culprits utilizing a goods lift to enter the targeted room within the museum before escaping on bicycles, as per local reports.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 am local time, while the museum was open to the public, specifically in the Apollo Gallery, confirmed the French Interior Ministry. Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the robbery as meticulously planned and executed by professionals, highlighting the calm and efficient manner in which the thieves operated, avoiding confrontation and swiftly making their getaway with the stolen treasures.
Following the robbery, a piece of jewelry was discovered outside the museum, likely dropped by the thieves during their escape. The robbers exploited ongoing construction work on the Seine-facing side of The Louvre to gain unauthorized entry, utilizing a goods lift to directly access the Apollo Gallery, where the French Crown Jewels are showcased.
Reports indicate that the thieves utilized small chainsaws to break into display cases and pilfered “nine pieces from the jewelry collection of Napoleon and the Empress” before fleeing the scene on motorcycles. Despite the theft, no injuries were reported, with ongoing investigations at the museum site, as confirmed by Minister Dati.
The stolen items, possessing significant heritage and historical worth, were underscored by the French Interior Ministry. Consequently, The Louvre announced its closure for the day due to exceptional circumstances. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez detailed the method of entry employed by the perpetrators, mentioning their targeted theft of historically invaluable jewels.
The robbery has prompted concerns regarding security measures at the renowned museum, especially considering previous warnings about insufficient investment at the high-profile tourist destination that welcomed millions of visitors in the past year. The Louvre, renowned for its diverse collection of over 33,000 artworks ranging from antiquities to European masterpieces, attracts a substantial daily footfall, including notable works like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.