Thieves Steal Priceless Jewels from Paris Louvre in Daring Heist

"Priceless" Jewelry Stolen from Louvre Museum in Paris

Intruders entered the Louvre museum in Paris using a platform mounted on a lorry, breaking a window and stealing jewels with significant heritage value, according to France's interior minister.

The heist, described as a "major robbery," forced the closure of the world-renowned museum, which attracts up to 30,000 visitors daily.

Authorities disclosed that the thieves, who appeared calm and professional, carried out the theft in a matter of minutes, smashing display cases and escaping with the loot.

The robbers, believed to be three or four in number, accessed the museum using a basket lift attached to a lorry, taking advantage of ongoing construction work near the River Seine side of the building.

The criminals fled on two motorbikes after cutting window panes with a disc cutter and stealing jewelry items from several display cases, including pieces from the Galerie d'Apollon housing the French Crown Jewels.

The stolen items, including a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara, were reportedly taken from the Napoleon and French Sovereigns display cases by suspects wearing hoods and carrying small chainsaws.

Police are conducting forensic work and compiling a detailed list of the stolen jewelry, which was taken between 9:30 and 9:40 am local time.

The investigation into the theft is being led by detectives from the city's serious crime unit, with efforts focused on recovering the stolen goods and identifying the perpetrators.

The Galerie d'Apollon, where the robbery took place, is a significant room in the museum housing the French Crown Jewels and other historical artifacts, including renowned diamonds like the Regent, Sancy, and Hortensia.

The Louvre museum has a history of being targeted by thieves, with notable incidents such as the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 and the recent recovery of stolen Renaissance-era armor pieces in 2021.