Investigation into Organized Theft and Criminal Association Opened after Louvre Museum Heist
An investigation into organized theft and criminal association has been launched after the Louvre Museum was robbed on Sunday morning, resulting in the loss of nine jewels from the collection of Napoleon and Empress Joséphine, the Paris prosecutor's office announced.
According to French press reports, at the museum's opening, masked individuals allegedly entered the establishment through a side where construction work is underway. They reportedly used a freight elevator to directly access the targeted room, broke glass to gain entry, took the jewels, and then fled.
This must have been the work of a "very experienced team," French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told the press, adding that the "heritage value" of the stolen jewels is "inestimable."
One of the stolen jewels was found "near the Louvre," TV channel TF1 reported.
The stolen jewels risk being melted down to sell the gold, and some diamonds could be sold individually, according to French daily Le Parisien, citing a source close to the investigation.
