BREAKING: Thieves executed a daring daylight heist at the Louvre on Sunday, stealing priceless crown jewels in just seven minutes. The robbery, which took place between 9:30 AM and 9:40 AM local time, has triggered an urgent manhunt for the culprits who remain at large.
The brazen theft occurred in the Gallerie d’Apollon, home to some of France’s most valuable treasures, including the crown of Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III. Authorities confirmed that the damaged crown, adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, was found abandoned near the museum.
Witnesses described the scene as “like a Hollywood movie.” One American tourist, Talia Ocampo, shared her shock: “It was crazy and something we won’t forget — we could not go to the Louvre because there was a robbery.”
According to officials, the thieves utilized a powered ladder typically used for moving furniture to gain access to the gallery. Armed with angle grinders, they broke a window and entered the museum swiftly. A witness named Samir reported, “It took 30 seconds” for the men to execute their plan. He quickly alerted police after seeing four individuals escape the scene.
The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, was forced to close for the day to preserve evidence. Armed soldiers patrolled the iconic glass pyramid entrance, keeping evacuated visitors behind police tape. The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation, and the total value of the stolen items is still being assessed.
The robbery is part of a worrying trend, as several French museums have faced similar attacks recently. Last month, thieves stole gold samples worth €600,000 from Paris’s Natural History Museum. Earlier this month, two dishes and a vase classified as national treasures were taken from a museum in Limoges, valued at €6.5 million.
This latest incident raises questions about security at cultural institutions, particularly as the Louvre aims to attract even more visitors, hoping to increase annual attendance to 12 million.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Louvre, which was once the seat of French monarchs, has weathered numerous thefts in its storied history, including the infamous 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, which was recovered months later.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story continues to unfold.
