In a daring heist, a group of thieves masquerading as workers infiltrated the renowned Louvre gallery in Paris. The meticulously planned operation, which lasted a mere seven minutes, targeted priceless jewelry once owned by Napoleon and his family. French authorities have mobilized a team of 60 investigators to pursue the culprits, marking the first robbery at the Louvre since 1998.
The thieves arrived on motorbikes near the Seine side of the museum just as it was preparing to welcome visitors. They exploited a section under renovation, where accomplices dressed as construction workers assisted in gaining access to the Apollo Gallery through a window. Using angle grinders, the gang breached the window and swiftly made their way inside.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez disclosed that the thieves absconded with nine valuable pieces, dropping two of them shortly after the theft. The stolen items included a tiara, sapphire necklace, earrings, and a necklace gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie Louise. Described as “objects of invaluable cultural heritage” by the culture ministry, the stolen pieces also encompassed the Eugénie Crown, a Second Empire relic adorned with diamonds and emeralds.
Despite the alarms being operational during the heist, it remains uncertain whether they were triggered as the thieves looted the treasures. Following the swift robbery, the gang fled on motorbikes, carrying eight of the pilfered items towards the A6 motorway. A manhunt has been initiated to locate and apprehend the perpetrators, underscoring the gravity of the incident and the urgency to recover the stolen artifacts.