Thieves, armed with a chainsaw, executed a bold heist at the Louvre, snatching valuable jewels in what has become one of the most notable museum thefts in recent history. Investigators now believe that a collector may have orchestrated the crime.
Paris prosecutor Laure Becuau stated that they are looking into the possibility of the robbery being ordered by this collector.
She mentioned on BFM TV, “We are exploring the organized crime angle,” suggesting it might involve an expert who was assessing the items for a potential buyer.
Should a collector be linked to the audacious robbery, there’s a reasonable chance the stolen items could remain intact when they are eventually found, Becuau suggested.
Prosecutors believe the stolen jewelry might also serve as a means to launder money from other illegal activities.
“Everything can now be connected to drug trafficking, especially considering the significant funds involved,” she added.
While investigators have pursued various leads, foreign involvement has largely been dismissed as a possibility in this case, according to Becuau.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez indicated that a specialized police unit known for successfully resolving major robberies has been assigned to the investigation.
The Louvre, which holds the title of the world’s most-visited museum, announced its closure on Monday following the damage from Sunday’s incident, which occurred in just a matter of minutes.
In a shocking scene, masked thieves disguised as construction workers carried out the robbery on Sunday morning, right in front of visitors and staff.
According to Le Parisien, the trio used a basket lift to access a second-floor window and employed a small gas-powered chainsaw to break in, all while threatening security personnel.
Footage taken inside the Louvre reveals one of the suspects, clad in a green reflective vest, methodically cutting through the glass case that housed one of the stolen pieces, with onlookers watching in disbelief.
Two robbers managed to smash a display case containing a vast assortment of French crown jewels, officials have reported.
In total, nine items were targeted, with eight successfully taken. During their hurried escape, the thieves unfortunately dropped the ninth item, the crown of Empress Eugenie, the spouse of Napoleon III.
“This crown by itself has a value that runs into tens of millions of euros. Though, I would argue that it’s not the most important piece,” remarked Alexandre Zichello, president of Drouault auction house, in an interview with Reuters.
