In a daring daylight heist at the renowned Louvre museum in central Paris, a brazen operation unfolded, capturing headlines. Reports suggest that the meticulously planned theft of historic crown jewels valued at £76 million may have been orchestrated with inside help, as investigators now believe. Recent developments include the arrest of two suspects in connection with the high-profile robbery.
The robbery, carried out in a swift seven-minute operation, involved thieves using chainsaws to scale the building and gain entry through a window. Shockingly, new evidence has surfaced, indicating potential collaboration between a museum security guard and the perpetrators, as revealed by an unnamed police source.
Utilizing a furniture lift, the robbers breached the first-floor Galerie d’Apollon, where the precious Napoleon and Empress Joséphine collection was housed. Despite managing to snatch nine priceless pieces, the thieves dropped one item during their escape.
Escaping on a cherry picker with their loot, the criminals then fled on motorbikes through the streets of central Paris. The Louvre director offered to resign following the incident, acknowledging a critical failure due to a mispositioned camera in the gallery.
The theft has sparked national outrage, with experts expressing concerns about the slim chances of recovering the stolen valuables. French culture minister Rachida Dati announced an administrative inquiry to ensure transparency, emphasizing that the museum’s security system functioned effectively during the heist.