On Sunday, a significant theft occurred at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where thieves used a truck equipped with a mechanical lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon. During a brief, seven-minute heist, they stole eight valuable jewelry items, including an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon to Empress Marie Louise. These items are reported to hold considerable historical significance.
The robbery happened shortly after the museum opened to visitors, leading to a swift response from staff who followed protocol by notifying security forces. The thieves, four masked individuals, threatened museum guards and smashed glass display cases to access the jewels. As they left, they attempted to ignite their vehicle but were thwarted by a museum employee.
Security concerns have been raised regarding the museum’s vulnerability. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged existing weaknesses in museum security, citing that a forthcoming report indicated a lack of surveillance cameras in about one-third of the areas where the theft took place. The French justice minister, Gérald Darmanin, criticized the failure of security measures, stating that the method employed by the thieves to carry out the heist presents a concerning image of France.
Experts, including Chris Marinello from Art Recovery International, have expressed urgency in apprehending the suspects within the next 24 to 48 hours, warning that the stolen items may soon be fragmented and sold. The museum has remained closed following the incident, and both law enforcement and cultural officials are investigating the incident to understand the circumstances that allowed this theft to occur.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyz58n65g3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss