Newly released video captures the unusual slow-motion escape of the thieves who stole the French crown jewels from the Louvre. The footage shows two men, one in a high-visibility jacket and the other in a motorbike jacket, calmly descending a cherry picker outside the museum before executing their daring theft of nine priceless artifacts.
The thieves had ample time to carry out their escape and eventually fled on motorbikes without being apprehended by the police. Despite five days passing since the heist, no arrests have been made in connection with the £76 million robbery, causing outcry among opposition politicians in France who have labeled it a “national humiliation.”
Only one of the stolen items, Empress Eugenie’s crown, was recovered after being dropped by the culprits. The rest of the stolen treasures, including a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, a sapphire diadem, and various pieces associated with historical figures like Napoleon III and Empress Marie-Louise, are still missing, raising concerns that they may have been dismantled for illegal sale.
Following the incident, the Louvre has reopened to the public with heightened security measures in place. The museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, admitted to significant security lapses during a hearing at the senate’s culture committee, acknowledging the inadequate CCTV coverage around the museum.
In a separate development, a British art authenticator, Curtis Dowling, reported receiving suspicious calls from individuals offering significant sums to authenticate French jewelry shortly after the robbery. Dowling believes the stolen jewels may have already changed hands multiple times and declined involvement, citing the risks associated with dealing in stolen goods.
Dowling, known for his work on the CNBC show “Treasure Detectives,” emphasized the rapid turnover of stolen items in the illicit market and the prevalence of counterfeit copies. The incident has underscored the challenges in recovering stolen cultural artifacts and the complexities of dealing with illicit trade in valuable items.