Louvre Heist: Two Men Arrested Over Theft Of Precious Jewels From Iconic Paris Museum

Louvre Heist: Two Men Arrested Over Theft Of Precious Jewels From Iconic Paris Museum

Two men have been arrested over the theft of precious jewels from the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris.

The heist, which took place on October 19, saw thieves make off with eight precious pieces worth an estimated $102 million. The robbers reportedly used a crane to smash an upstairs window during opening hours before escaping on motorbikes.

The incident sent shockwaves through France, with many describing it as a national embarrassment.

The thieves had used a false pretext to steal a basket lift. Around 9.30 am, the thieves dressed like renovation workers park the truck equipped with a freight lift — a common sight in Paris — on the sidewalk at the foot of the Louvre, on Quai François Mitterrand alongside the Seine River. They put traffic cones around the truck to simulate a maintenance operation. Two people climb a ladder to reach a balcony and gain entry through a window.

The two thieves entered the south end of the Apollo Gallery around 9.34 am. An alarm was triggered at the security control room. A staff member in the room made a radio call to command centre members to alert them to the intruders.

Within a minute, robbers use disc cutters to neatly cut the glass of two display cases and take the jewels. Security officers made visitors evacuate, in line with requirements that focus on crowd safety. The museum manager called the nearby police station to report a theft in progress and asked for immediate help.

At 9.36 am, a team leader at the command centre activated a special button linked to Paris police headquarters. At 9.38 am, the thieves left via the same window and fled east with two other people waiting for them on two scooters. They left behind a yellow jacket similar to those often worn by construction workers and other equipment, including a disc cutter. Culture Minister Rachida Dati said that security officers on site prevented one thief from setting the truck with the freight lift on fire.

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

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The emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III's wife, Empress Eugénie, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum.

With Agency Inputs

Source: News18
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