A shocking Louvre robbery has left French authorities scrambling after chainsaw-wielding thieves pulled off one of the most audacious museum heists in decades. Masked criminals disguised as construction workers used mini gas-powered chainsaws and a basket lift to break into the Louvre on Sunday morning, stealing priceless royal jewels in front of stunned visitors.
Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said investigators are exploring whether the Louvre robbery was commissioned by a private collector. “We’re looking at the hypothesis of organized crime,” Beccuau told BFM TV, suggesting professionals may have been hired “working on spec for a buyer.”
The gang targeted nine royal artifacts, managing to escape with eight — including a diamond and sapphire tiara, sapphire earrings, and a sapphire necklace belonging to Queen Marie-Amelie, along with jewelry from Marie-Louise and Empress Eugenie. One item, Eugenie’s crown, worth “several tens of millions of euros,” was dropped during their escape, according to Alexandre Giquello of Drouot Auction House.
Authorities ruled out foreign interference but suspect the jewels may be tied to broader criminal activity. “Nowadays, anything can be linked to drug trafficking, given the significant sums of money obtained from drug trafficking,” Beccuau noted.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the case is being handled by a specialized police unit with a strong record in solving high-profile robberies. Despite the chaos, the Louvre’s staff “immediately intervened” to evacuate visitors and alert police, the Ministry of Culture said.
As investigators hunt the elusive trio, the world watches — and wonders — how such a Louvre robbery could unfold inside one of the planet’s most secure museums.
