Thieves steal jewels in seven-minute heist at Louvre
A group of professional thieves executed a swift seven-minute robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris,stealing jewels described as having “inestimable” heritage and historical value. The heist took place on a Sunday morning while the museum was open to visitors. The criminals gained entry by using a mechanized lift to access upper-floor windows, breaking them to seize nine Napoleonic-era jewels including a necklace, brooch, and tiara. They escaped on scooters, and no injuries were reported.French authorities are investigating the incident and compiling a detailed list of the stolen items. The museum has been closed temporarily due to the examination. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati noted the thieves acted professionally without violence or panic. A piece of jewelry was later found near the museum, but its importance is unknown. The Louvre,famous for housing artworks like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa,has experienced notable thefts in the past,with the 1911 Mona lisa theft having boosted the painting’s global fame.
Thieves steal jewels of ‘inestimable value’ in seven-minute heist at Louvre
A group of professional thieves stole jewels of “inestimable value” in a coordinated seven-minute heist at the Louvre in Paris, French officials said on Sunday as the art museum shut down for the day.
Police were investigating the robbery and how it took place on Sunday morning. Preliminary details revealed the thieves used a mechanised lift to access upstairs windows for entry, per French newspaper Le Parisien. After breaking the windows, the culprits bagged nine Napoleonic jewels left on display and fled on scooters.
Damage from the robbery is currently being assessed as police investigate the matter.
“The investigation has begun, and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled,” the French Interior Ministry said in a statement. “Beyond their market value, these items have priceless heritage and historical value.”
A necklace, brooch, and tiara were among the stolen items, according to reports.
At least four thieves orchestrated the daytime heist. There were no injuries reported.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the thieves “acted professionally, without any violence and without any panic.” The robbery unfolded as the Louvre was open to visitors around 9:30 a.m. Sunday local time.
The museum is now closed amid the investigation.
Investigators later found a piece of jewelry near the museum after it was apparently dropped during the criminals’ escape, according to Dati. It remains unclear what the recovered item is.
The Louvre is home to the Mona Lisa, the famous oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The artwork was once stolen by a former Louvre employee in 1911 and was recovered two years later when the thief tried to sell it. Because of its international coverage at the time, the incident helped make the Mona Lisa the world’s most famous painting.
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