Overview of the Heist
French police are desperate to retrieve priceless jewels stolen from the Louvre in a brazen daylight robbery, but experts have warned it may already be too late to save them. In Paris on Sunday, thieves broke into the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight valued items before escaping on scooters in a daring heist that took about eight minutes.
Dutch art detective Arthur Brand fears the jewels may already be 'long gone', having been broken into hundreds of parts. Experts suggest the pieces will likely be sold for a fraction of their worth and smuggled out of France.
Professional Heist?
The group were professionals, Mr. Brand believes, as demonstrated by the fact they were in and out of the Louvre so quickly. This was not their first heist—they have likely committed other burglaries. Authorities suspect the heist is linked to an organized crime network, pointing towards the possibility that the thieves have criminal records and are known to police.
Moreover, a specialist police unit with a high success rate in cracking high-profile robberies has been assigned to track down the culprits. Evidence left at the crime scene might lead to catching the thieves.
The Value of What Was Stolen
Mr. Brand estimates the dismantled objects could be worth 'many millions'. The gems and gold stolen could fetch up to £10 million, equivalent to €11.52 million or $13.4 million. However, it is anticipated that the stolen items would fetch a significantly lower price due to their stolen status. Items like the Empress Eugénie's tiara, with rare natural pearls, would be extremely valuable, further complicating recovery efforts.
Cultural Impact and Emotional Response
Many in France are deeply shocked by the Louvre heist, having felt an emotional attachment to the jewels. Alexandre Leger, head of heritage at French jeweller Maison Vever, noted that the stolen items represent a piece of national identity, similar to the theft of the iconic 'Mona Lisa'.
As the investigation unfolds, hopes remain that the stolen items could one day reappear intact, but those hopes are diminishing as the timeline extends.
