On September 17, local time, the National Museum of Natural History in Paris said that thieves broke into the museum area and stole samples of natural gold worth about $ 700,000 (nearly RMB 5 million); this case is the latest in the recent robberies of several French museums and public collection institutions.
The stolen items consisted of several natural gold specimens, i.e. natural unrefined gold, belonging to the national collection. The case occurred at the Geology and Minerals Exhibition in the park on the Seine River. On Tuesday morning, security found signs of intrusion, and the intruders allegedly used corner mills and jetlights for forced into the park.
Emmanuelle Scullios, director of the museum, said that the stolen collection is estimated at the price of gold, but its historical and scientific significance and cultural heritage value are “invaluable”.In addition, U.S. Geological Survey geologist Karin Green said, “It is a natural artwork.” he also added that at the price of raw gold per ounce (approximately 31.1 grams) about 3,600 dollars, natural gold that retains its original appearance is usually priced about 1.5 times, and the crystalline shape is more rare and valuable.
The museum said in a statement that at the time of the robbery, many museums and public collections in France had been stolen one after another in recent months. According to anonymous police sources, the alarm and monitoring system in the museum was shut down by a cyber attack in July, and thieves seem to be aware of this loophole. The curator said: "We are facing an extremely professional team. They know the goal very well and carry professional equipment."
According to reports, this month, the Adrian Dybusch National Museum in the central city of Lima stole about $7 million in porcelain; in November last year, four men holding a tail and a baseball stick broke the exhibition cabinet during the day at the Connac-Jay Museum in Paris, taking away several 18th century works; according to public information, the case followed by the Royal Collection Trust received more than $4 million in insurance compensation. The next day, an armed robbery occurred at a museum in the central French province of Sorbonne-Louvre, and millions of euros worth of jewelry were stolen. In early May 2024, the robbers also robbed a jewelry store in a high-end district in Paris, targeted by the Hollywood boutique, which allegedly called itself "Star Juweler".
Red Star reporter Wang Yalin internship reporter Yang Poohyuk
Editor, Guo Yu