On Sunday morning, a group of thieves executed a rapid and sophisticated heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing valuable jewels previously owned by Napoleon and his empresses. The theft, which occurred in just seven minutes, prompted immediate police action and led to the museum's closure for the day to preserve evidence.
Authorities, including the Parisian Public Prosecutor's Office, have launched an investigation into the organized theft. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez characterized the operation as highly organized, noting that the robbers used a disc cutter to access display cases containing the jewels. The thieves reportedly entered the museum through a construction site, utilizing a cherry picker to reach the Apollo Gallery, where the jewels were located.
Surveillance footage indicated that the thieves acted calmly and without violence. They escaped on powerful Yamaha scooters, prompting law enforcement to analyze the getaway route as part of their investigation. Eyewitness accounts described the scene as chaotic, with museum staff evacuating visitors after hearing loud noises.
The stolen items are believed to include nine pieces of significant historical value, one of which is the Crown of Empress Eugenie. Although a damaged version of this crown was later found abandoned, the full extent of the missing artifacts remains unclear. Experts estimate the crown alone could be worth tens of millions of euros.
This incident adds to the Louvre's history of notable thefts, including the infamous 1911 heist of the "Mona Lisa." As investigations continue, the focus remains on locating the stolen items and apprehending the suspects involved in this high-profile crime.