The Louvre Robbery: the famous Parisian museum became a target for robbers
As reported ThePublic.info, citing Le Parisien, thieves broke into the Louvre, where reconstruction is underway. They used a freight elevator to ascend to the Apollo Gallery hall, where some of the museum's most valuable historical collections are stored.
Breaking the windows, two robbers entered inside, while their accomplice stayed outside to watch. They stole nine valuables from the Napoleon and Empress collection — including necklaces, tiaras, brooches, and other jewelry.
Sources from the publication say that one of the world's most famous diamonds, the "Regent" weighing over 140 carats, was not stolen. The damages from the robbery are still being assessed.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that the Louvre robbery lasted only 7 minutes. According to him, the criminals entered the museum using a construction platform.
The minister says they stole "jewelry of priceless value." He called it a "major robbery."
In an interview with the newspaper Le Parisien the central district police chief of Paris, Ariel Weil, said he was "shocked" by the Louvre robbery. "It's a shock," he said, adding that the incident "inevitably raises security questions." "Until now, such things could only be seen in movies. It's hard to imagine that it’s so easy to rob the Louvre," he added with regret.
According to the publication, one of the stolen valuables was found near the museum: likely, it was the Empress Eugénie's crown. It was broken after the incident.
The former head of Paris police noted that this was "obviously a team that conducted reconnaissance in advance." The riverbank along the Louvre has now been blocked off. The prosecutor's office has begun an investigation.
