Overview
- A 36-second clip verified by Le Parisien shows two masked men descending on a truck-mounted furniture lift from the Apollo Gallery and riding off on scooters.
- The theft at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday lasted under seven minutes, with eight 19th-century crown jewels taken; a crown linked to Empress Eugénie was dropped and recovered damaged.
- Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said she is optimistic about the investigation but has only a small hope of recovering the jewels, with more than 100 investigators on the case.
- Tools, a hi-vis vest, a helmet, and other items left behind yielded over 150 DNA and fingerprint samples, and CCTV and highway footage are helping trace the suspects’ route; inside assistance is among the hypotheses being examined.
- Louvre director Laurence des Cars called security a “terrible failure,” noting highly insufficient exterior camera coverage and an unmonitored balcony; she offered to resign, which was declined, as museums tighten security and lift-maker Böcker draws attention for a cheeky ad after identifying its stolen equipment.