Louvre robbery took just 'seven minutes' as police reveal new details in major update
It's been revealed that it took robbers just 'seven minutes' to walk away with some of the most priceless jewellery in the Louvre, as more details are emerging about the shocking case.
For those not up to speed, on Sunday morning (19 October) thieves used a basket lift to reach the iconic Paris museum and, while tourists were already inside, forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with jewels of 'inestimable value'.
The Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum, but that didn't stop the criminals from brazenly striking in broad daylight, before escaping on scooters with eight incredibly valuable items.
As we say, the robbery took just seven minutes and the museum remains closed together as police face a 'race against times' to recover the stolen goods.
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Sky News reported that culture minister Rachida Dati said footage of the operation showed that the thieves 'didn't target people' but they entered 'calmly in four minutes, smashed display cases, took their loot, and left'.
She told TF1: "No violence, very professional."
French interior minister Laurent Nunez explained that the operation involved the robbers entering the world-famous museum via a basket lift using a platform mounted on a lorry.
It's unclear whether they brought the equipment with them or somehow picked it up along the way, as construction work is taking place along the River Seine, near the museum.
The group then went on to cut through glass window panes with a battery-powered disc cutter.
The interior ministry said that once inside the building, they made their way to the Galerie d'Apollon (Apollo Gallery), which is home to a selection of the French Crown Jewels.
Nunez said: "They broke a window and went towards several display cases where they stole jewellery. These are jewels that have genuine heritage value and are, in fact, priceless."
As per the BBC, they then threatened the guards, who evacuated the premises, before fleeing the scene 'on a TMAX,' which is a type of Yamaha maxi-scooter.
The break-in is thought to have taken place between 9.30am and 9.40am (8.30-8.40am UK time).
Citing police, a French daily newspaper Le Parisien, citing police, said the suspects - four thieves - wore hoods and were said to be carrying 'small chainsaws'.
As for what they took, according to the authorities, eight items were stolen in total, all of which are from the 19th century and once belonged to French royalty or imperial rulers.
As reported by the BBC, France's ministry of culture said the stolen items were:
- A tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III
- An emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise
- A tiara, necklace and single earring from the sapphire set that belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense
- A brooch known as the 'reliquary brooch'
On top of this, two more items, including Empress Eugénie's crown, were reportedly found near the scene, seemingly having been dropped during the escape.
As of right now, around 60 investigators are working on the case and a race against the clock has begun.
Chris Marinello, the chief executive of Art Recovery International, said: "There is a race going on right now."
He added that the criminals will likely break apart the items to sell them in small parts.
The expert explained that they 'are not going to keep them intact, they are going to break them up, melt down the valuable metal, recut the valuable stones and hide evidence of their crime'.
Topics: Crime, World News, News
Madison Burgess