In a bold and headline-grabbing heist that took place in broad daylight at the iconic Louvre museum in central Paris, investigators are now looking into the possibility of an inside job being involved. Recent reports suggest that the thieves behind the theft of historic crown jewels valued at £76 million may have had assistance from a member of the museum’s security team. According to a source close to the investigation, digital evidence indicates collaboration between a security guard and the perpetrators, leading to a breach in the museum’s security.
The daring operation, lasting only seven minutes, involved individuals using chainsaws to scale the building and gain entry through a window, where the valuable jewels were stored in the Galerie d’Apollon on the first floor. Despite the presence of visitors, the thieves managed to make off with nine priceless pieces from the Napoleon and Empress Joséphine collection, dropping one item during their escape.
Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the Louvre Museum robbery, with one of them captured at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to flee to Algeria. The criminals utilized a furniture lift to reach the first floor, then descended with their loot using a cherry picker before escaping on motorbikes through the streets of central Paris.
Following the incident, the director of the Louvre offered to resign, admitting to a “terrible failure” due to a mispositioned camera in the gallery. The theft has sparked national outrage, with experts expressing concerns about the slim chances of recovering the stolen valuables. French culture minister Rachida Dati has assured that an administrative inquiry is underway to ensure transparency, emphasizing that the museum’s security system functioned as intended during the heist.