The robbery at the Louvre Museum on Sunday, October 19, started exactly at 9:30 a.m. The operation was carried out by four people dressed like construction workers, and it was done quickly.
The robbers used a construction truck that had an electric ladder, known as a monte-meubles. They drove it right up to the famous Galerie d’Apollon. After climbing the ladder, they used a strong cutting tool to break the window glass. Even though this set off the security alarms right away, the group kept moving quickly. They threatened the guards who were there, smashed the display cases, and stole nine priceless pieces of 19th-century French royal Jewelry. These include the royal sapphire and emerald necklaces and Empress Eugénie’s crown, all covered in thousands of diamonds and gems. The whole event, from the moment they entered until they left, took only eight minutes. The thieves drove away on fast scooters by 9:38 a.m. As they rushed to escape, Empress Eugénie’s crown fell near the museum walls, where it was later found broken. Overall, a successful escape and attempt by the robbers.
The following days were marked by chaos and intense controversy. French Culture Minister Rachinda Dati publicly acknowledged the heist as a major national embarrassment. The Louvre was closed for two days, and when it reopened, the area around it remained sealed off as forensic teams continued their work. Investigators from the Brigade for the Repression of Banditry were optimistic, gathering the DNA and fingerprints from the scene. In addition, the recovery of the damaged crown, although flattened, offered some optimism. By the end of the week, the investigation had narrowed significantly. The breakthrough came late Saturday night, six days after the robbery. Using DNA matching, police identified and apprehended two of the four robbers. One man was captured during his attempt to get on a flight, the other was in the Parisian suburbs. The two men were immediately placed under questioning to find and locate the other accomplices. The other two men have not yet been identified, but the police are still actively investigating the case.