Khaberni - The French capital, Paris, witnessed one of the boldest thefts in its history, after unknown assailants broke into the Louvre Museum early Sunday morning and managed in just 7 minutes to steal eight "priceless" pieces from the French crown jewels before they fled on motorcycles, in an operation described by the authorities as "shockingly professional."
The French Ministry of Culture revealed that the stolen items included two crowns, two necklaces, and earrings from the collections of Queens Marie Amelie, Eugenie, and Empress Marie Louise.
In addition, two rare brooches, one known as the "Archaeological Brooch," were stolen, and a ninth piece believed to be the crown of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, was found shattered at the scene.
President Emmanuel Macron promised via the "X" platform that "the stolen works will be recovered and those responsible for this cowardly act will be brought to justice," affirming that "all efforts are being made to accomplish this as quickly as possible."
Macron added in a later statement: "The theft committed in the Louvre Museum is an assault on a heritage we cherish, as it is part of our history, and we will not allow our collective memory to be stolen in this manner."
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the thieves infiltrated the museum through a construction crane erected next to the Seine River bank, where restoration works are being carried out in the wing overlooking the river.
He added, "They cut through a glass window using a circular saw, then headed straight to the crown jewels display hall, broke into the display cabinets, and stole the jewels."
The minister confirmed that the operation resulted in no injuries, and it is believed that the perpetrators – three or four individuals – were well-prepared and had planned the operation in advance, noting that they left the site on Yamaha TMAX scooters, which are fast models typically used in escape operations.
Minister of Culture Rashida Dati explained that surveillance cameras showed the thieves "moving with complete calm, without violence, as if they knew the place thoroughly, finishing the operation in just seven minutes and then leaving," describing the incident as "completely professional."
Following the incident, the Louvre Museum announced its closure for "exceptional reasons," while the police began extensive combing operations and the analysis of fingerprints and criminal evidence inside the "Apollo Gallery," which houses the most prominent of the French crown jewels, including historic diamonds such as "The Regent" and "The Hortensia."
Dutch art expert Arthur Brand, known as the "investigator of stolen works," said that the French authorities "are racing against time" to recover the stolen items before they are dismantled or melted, adding, "These jewels are globally renowned, they cannot be easily sold, thus the thieves might attempt to melt down the gold and cut the diamonds to hide their traces."
