Thieves successfully stole eight pieces of jewelry from the Louvre Museum around 9:30am on October 19th. In just seven minutes the thieves managed to escape with jewelry from the French Royal Family, despite dropping the Crown of Empress Eugénie. The Louvre Museum houses some of the most well-known and historic paintings and jewels including the Mona Lisa. The museum is closed until further notice following the robbery with some French newspapers calling it the “Heist of the Century” (NBC News).
French officials are heavily investigating the incident, mainly due to the unusual circumstances of the robbery leading to such an easy and fast exit. The thieves, disguised as construction workers, snuck into the Louvre through a top floor window using a construction ladder. From there, the thieves walked to the main floor, the Apollo Gallery, and used a disc cutter to open glass displays and take jewelry. After obtaining their goods, the thieves promptly walked outside and escaped on electric street scooters.
The Louvre has been a target for robberies in the past given its significance and value within. In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre by a man who hid in the museum overnight and put the painting in his coat before leaving the next morning disguised as a worker. In this heist, the painting was not repossessed by the Louvre until two years later in 1913. This could explain the urgency of investigators, the slower they move the further away the jewels could be. Thieves will often take the pieces and dismantle them, separating the gems from the metal. They can then sell the precious stones like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds among others without being caught. The metals, such as sterling silver and gold, may also be sold for value. It is hoped the thieves will be caught before they have destroyed or sold the pieces, which is why French officials are working around the clock to find the culprits and return the jewels to the Louvre.