In a shocking incident in October, the Louvre was targeted by thieves who managed to steal jewels worth £77 million in a daring heist. The thieves, disguised in yellow vests and motorcycle helmets, used a cherry picker to access the museum’s Apollo Gallery. In just seven minutes, they smashed glass displays with chainsaws and made off with eight valuable items, including historic pieces like an emerald and diamond necklace and a diadem adorned with pearls and diamonds.
The audacious robbery, carried out on October 19, involved the thieves breaking into the museum through a second-floor window and swiftly escaping using an electrical ladder attached to a truck. They then fled on high-powered motor scooters with their accomplices. Surprisingly, it was later revealed that the museum’s security system was compromised due to a weak password, ‘LOUVRE’, allowing access to its video surveillance server.
Investigations led to the arrest of four individuals involved in the heist, with three facing charges of theft by an organized gang. The fourth person in custody, a woman believed to be an accomplice, was charged with complicity in the crime. Despite the arrests, the stolen jewelry valued at $100 million is still missing. The Louvre’s security lapses, including inadequate perimeter security and outdated systems, have raised concerns and highlighted the need for improved security measures.