Thieves executed an audacious rush hour heist at the Louvre in Paris on Monday. They absconded with priceless jewellery worth an incredible 88 million euros, about $157.3 million. The items pilfered from the palace once graced the crowns and ceremonies of kings and queens. They feature a sapphire diadem, a sapphire necklace, and a sapphire single earring—all tied to 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense.
In full view of the public, creating a scene worthy of any action movie, the robbery went down dramatically. Criminals used a crane to crush the second story museum’s window. Witnesses reported seeing two men dressed all in black and wearing high visibility vests. They climbed down a mechanical ladder to safety and fled the scene on lime scooters. One of the suspects started wearing a bright yellow hi-vis vest. This made it easier for him to fit in as one of the local construction workers.
As they hunt for four suspects connected to this brazen heist, authorities remain on heightened alert. The decision to wear balaclavas during the robbery shows a degree of premeditation that has art theft commentators on edge. Many are now worried that the stolen jewellery will never see the light of day again.
French President Emmanuel Macron has made recovering the stolen works a priority.
“We will recover the works.” – French President Emmanuel Macron
Beyond its monetary worth, the stolen jewellery is of enormous historical significance, tying it to the dazzling history of French royalty. In fact, this loss threatens our common patrimony. This incident raises concerns about security practices in one of the world’s most visited museums.
The incident has sparked discussions about art theft in modern society, with experts weighing in on the challenges of retrieving stolen pieces. The Louvre, a global symbol of art and history, now faces scrutiny regarding its ability to safeguard its treasures from such brazen acts.
