Expert warns that thieves of Louvre’s prized items might melt down the stolen goods.

Louvre Robbery: Thieves Target Cultural Treasures

A former FBI art crime expert indicated that the thieves who stole valuable items from the Louvre on Sunday might end up melting the treasures down. Tim Carpenter believes that the robbery, which he describes as “shocking,” was executed with a specific focus on historically and culturally significant objects.

“This was a targeted robbery,” Carpenter noted, emphasizing that the perpetrators understood the significance of these works and their importance to the French public.

Following the race against time, the Louvre closed its doors after a daring theft that unfolded in just seven minutes. The robbery occurred around 9:30 a.m., primarily in the Apollo Gallery, which is home to many historical artifacts linked to Napoleon and Empress Eugénie.

Reportedly, the robbers made off with an emblematic crown thought to belong to Empress Eugenie. According to local reports, they also stole several other valuable items, including a sapphire crown, necklace, and earrings related to the 19th-century Queen Marie Amélie.

“They can melt or break these items down,” Carpenter explained, revealing the operational methods likely at play, such as extracting stones from jewelry for resale.

The thieves, disguised as construction workers, cleverly accessed the museum by parking nearby. They managed to extend an elevator to a first-floor window, smashing it open with an angle grinder.

“It’s a chaotic time for museums,” Carpenter said, reflecting on the current circumstances that have led to increased vulnerability.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that the thieves employed a basket lift to enter the museum and used a disc cutter to break through glass plates protecting the valuable jewelry. An investigation is now underway, with officials compiling a detailed list of the stolen artifacts, noting their immense historical value.

Carpenter acknowledged the inherent vulnerabilities present in historic buildings, suggesting that these were exploited during the robbery. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about local authorities’ capacity to conduct a thorough investigation and recover the stolen treasures.