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In a stunning and meticulously orchestrated heist, a treasure trove valued at $157 million was snatched from the Louvre, leaving authorities to suspect an inside job might have facilitated the audacious theft. The robbery, executed with precision in broad daylight, unfolded over a mere four minutes. The thieves then vanished into the bustling streets of Paris on motorcycles, leaving scarcely a trace.
Detectives, piecing together the puzzle of how such a high-profile institution was breached, have uncovered digital forensic evidence hinting at insider collaboration. “There is proof suggesting that one of the museum’s security personnel may have cooperated with the thieves,” a source revealed. This collaboration allegedly provided the criminals with sensitive information about the museum’s security protocols, enabling them to exploit a specific vulnerability.”
In light of these revelations, the French cultural ministry acknowledged the ongoing rollout of enhanced security measures. However, the museum’s director admitted earlier this week that the particular area targeted by the robbers lacked CCTV surveillance, a critical gap that the perpetrators seemingly exploited to their advantage.
“Sensitive information was passed on about the museum’s security, which is how they were aware of the breach.”
However, the cultural ministry of France said it was still being rolled out, and the director of the Louvre earlier this week admitted there wasn’t CCTV coverage in the area where the heist took place.
“Unfortunately, on the Apollo gallery side, the only camera installed faces west and therefore does not cover the balcony affected by the break-in,” Laurence des Cars told a French Senate Committee.
The culprits still haven’t been identified, and there are now grave fears the priceless jewels, some dating back to the Napoleonic era, will never be recovered.
Among the stolen items were a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-AmĂ©lie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife; a reliquary brooch; Empress EugĂ©nie’s diadem; and her large corsage-bow brooch – a prized 19th-century imperial ensemble.
This is because experts believe the jewels will be broken down.
Christopher Marinello, the founder of Art Recovery International, believes the gang may look to break them down or recut the stones without regard for their rarity.
It led to him issuing a warning: “We need to break up these gangs and find another approach, or we’re going to lose things that we are never going to see again.”
