International officials are on an important hunt for thieves that stole precious and priceless crown jewels from the famous Louvre museum in Paris, France.
According to French officials, the robbery happened on Sunday around 9:30 am local time just after the museum opened. The four current suspects were able to make their way into the Louvre by getting on the balcony outside the Galerie d’Apollon and then proceeded to cut through the window to get inside.
Guards and visitors were threatened with the thieves’ angle-grinders and the thieves then managed to smash two display cases before leaving with the valuables. The total heist lasted less than 10 minutes in their time there.
The thieves managed to steal eight pieces of famous jewels including the emerald necklace of Empress Marie-Louise who was Napoleon I’s second wife. Here is the full list of items stolen according to the French Culture Ministry:
— Emerald necklace of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon I’s second wife
— Emerald earrings worn by Empress Marie-Louise
— Crown worn by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III
— Brooch of Empress Eugenie
— Crown worn by Queen Marie-Amelie, queen of France 1830-1848, and Queen Hortense
— Sapphire necklace worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense
— Sapphire earring worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense
— Reliquary brooch
The thieves were able to get away from the scene via two scooters and officials are currently investigating who and where the suspects currently are. The gallery the thieves entered was right near the famous Mona Lisa and it is not the first time the Louvre has been targeted.
In 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen by museum decorator Vincenzo Peruggia. There has also been an increase in museum robberies in France including the National Museum of Natural History.
High French officials such as President Emmanuel Macron called it “an attack on a heritage”. Others such as Jordan Bardella, who is the favorite to replace Macron called it “an unbreakable humiliation for our country”. The union SUD Culture blamed a lack of security and funding for this theft.
It is a race against the clock to find the thieves before the jewels are most likely melted down and sold. Arthur Brand, a leading Dutch art detective said they have about a week to find the jewels before they are lost forever.
The Louvre continues to remain closed as of Monday and it is unknown when it will reopen due to ongoing investigations.