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New Footage Shows Louvre Thieves’ Slow Getaway as Probe Flags 150+ DNA Traces

The clip highlights exterior blind spots the museum chief acknowledged in Senate testimony.

Overview

  • A 36‑second video verified by French media shows two masked figures descending a truck‑mounted lift from the Galerie d’Apollon before departing on scooters, with voices in the clip describing their exit.
  • The Oct. 19 raid lasted about seven minutes as four suspects used a stolen furniture lift to reach a balcony, broke a window, smashed display cases with power tools and escaped; eight jewels valued at roughly €88 million remain missing while Empress Eugénie’s crown was found outside.
  • Investigators say more than 150 DNA, fingerprint and trace items were recovered from a helmet, gloves, angle grinders and other gear, with laboratory analyses underway.
  • Paris prosecutors report four participants have been identified and about 100 specialists are working the case, while Interpol circulated images of the stolen items and suspects remain at large.
  • Louvre director Laurence des Cars called the episode a “terrible failure,” noting gaps in exterior CCTV coverage, and outlined plans for stronger perimeter controls, upgraded cameras and a police presence as the lift’s manufacturer drew notice for promotional posts referencing the heist.