Thieves wearing balaclavas executed a daring heist at the Louvre museum in Paris by breaking into an upstairs window using a crane. They targeted the area housing the French crown jewels, swiftly stealing eight priceless objects before fleeing on motorbikes. The robbery has raised concerns about security at the renowned museum, which had previously highlighted insufficient investment in safeguarding the site, known for housing iconic artworks like the Mona Lisa and attracting 8.7 million visitors in 2024.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the theft as an assault on the cherished heritage of the nation, vowing to recover the stolen works and bring the perpetrators to justice. The criminals, who were unarmed but brandished angle grinders to intimidate guards, carried out the robbery in the Galerie d’Apollon wing while the museum was open to the public. They managed to steal nine items, losing only the crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, during their escape.
The missing jewels include items such as tiaras, necklaces, earrings, and brooches from various historical sets. Notably, the thieves left behind the Regent diamond, valued at over $60 million US. French authorities have mobilized a specialized police unit to investigate the heist, exploring leads that suggest organized crime involvement rather than foreign interference.
The Louvre museum has temporarily closed for “exceptional reasons,” prompting disappointment among visitors like Joan and Jim Carpenter from California, who were evacuated from a gallery just before viewing the Mona Lisa. The incident has revived discussions about enhancing security measures at major museums, echoing previous calls for urgent renovations to protect invaluable cultural artifacts. French officials emphasize the evolving threat landscape, emphasizing the need for museums to adapt to combat sophisticated criminal activities.