Journalism of Courage
A video has surfaced online showing the shocking theft of historic artefacts from the Louvre Museum in France on Sunday. The daylight heist was carried out by three men, who fled with the loot, including historic jewels within 10 minutes.
Security cameras captured one of the thieves, dressed in construction gear, cutting through a glass display case while visitors walked nearby.
The thieves rode a basket lift up the Louvre’s facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels. The theft occurred about 30 minutes after the museum opened, with visitors already inside, and was among the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory.
It unfolded just 250 meters from the Mona Lisa, in what Culture Minister Rachida Dati described as a professional operation that lasted just a few minutes.
The thieves stole items from two display cases from the world’s most visited museum before fleeing on scooters. They also tried to set fire to their vehicle outside, but a museum staff member stopped them.
Minister Dati said investigators are working on evidence found at the scene. “We did find motorcycles and they have a license plate.” “I also want to pay tribute to the security officers who prevented the basket lift from being set on fire. One of the criminals tried to set it on fire, but they forced him to flee. This allowed us to recover evidence at the scene,” he told CNews.
Officials said the heist lasted less than eight minutes in total, including less than four minutes inside the Louvre. “They went straight to the display windows, they knew exactly what they wanted. They were very efficient.” Dati said.
Sunday’s theft focused on the gilded Apollo Gallery, where the Crown Diamonds are displayed. Alarms brought Louvre agents to the room, forcing the intruders to bolt, but the robbery was already over.
According to the French Culture Ministry the stolen jewels are — Emerald necklace of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon I’s second wife— Emerald earrings worn by Empress Marie-Louise— Crown worn by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III— Brooch of Empress Eugenie— Crown worn by Queen Marie-Amelie, queen of France 1830-1848, and Queen Hortense— Sapphire necklace worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense— Sapphire earring worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense— Reliquary brooch.
One object, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum, French authorities said.
Following the shocking theft, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez ordered prefects across France to immediately reassess security measures protecting museums and other cultural sites and enhance them if needed.
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged security failures on Monday.“One can wonder about the fact that, for example, the windows hadn’t been secured, about the fact that a basket lift was on a public road,” he said on France Inter radio. “Having (previously) been interior minister, I know that we cannot completely secure all places, but what is certain is that we have failed.”
“Someone was capable of putting in a crane truck in the open in the streets of Paris, to have people walk up for a couple of minutes and take priceless jewels and give France a deplorable image.”
Meanwhile as the manhunt continues, the museum, which had been expected to reopen on Monday, remained closed.
The museum’s staff asked dozens of visitors who were queuing in front of the glass pyramid entrance to leave. In a message posted on social media, the Louvre said visitors who have booked tickets will be refunded. It did not provide additional details.
