Officials suggest that the thieves involved in the Louvre incident might have been employed by a private collector.

Louvre Jewel Heist Possibly Commissioned by Collector

In a shocking daylight robbery at the Louvre in Paris, thieves have made off with valuable jewels, and officials suspect they may have been hired by a private collector.

Paris prosecutor Laure Becuau revealed to local media that investigators think the robbers, who executed the heist in just seven minutes, could be linked to collectors or driven solely by the worth of the gems. Becuau mentioned on BFM TV that they’re looking into the possibility of organized crime, speculating that these thieves might be professionals working under buyers’ instructions.

She noted that if the robbery was indeed commissioned, the stolen items might remain intact until they are retrieved. Conversely, if the thieves acted on their own, they could have targeted the jewelry for money laundering purposes.

Becuau also pointed out the potential connections to drug trafficking, considering the significant profits that can be made in that area.

While the investigation remains tightly under wraps, reports say that foreign involvement has been dismissed as a possibility.

Former jewelry thief Larry Lawton, who is now assisting police in their inquiry, suggested that this operation quite likely had inside knowledge. He posed intriguing questions: “How did they know how thick the glass was? Was there an alarm there?” He also mentioned that any seasoned thief would probably wait before selling the stolen goods, to evade early detection.

Lawton remarked, “Maybe they stashed them somewhere discreet, and in a year or two, they could make a clean sale. Those companies tend to pay up—no questions asked.” He emphasized that a large investment would surely entice those wanting to recover the jewelry.

The Louvre, the most frequented museum globally, announced it would close for the day following this audacious theft. Masked thieves disguised as construction workers targeted individuals in what was termed one of the museum’s busiest periods. Reports indicate that they manipulated a basket lift to smash a window using an angle grinder, then used a disc cutter to break through the protection glass around the jewelry.

In total, the thieves aimed for nine items, successfully stealing eight. Interestingly, they left behind the crown of Empress Eugénie, Napoleon III’s wife, which experts value at tens of millions of euros, although it may not be the main focus.