The latest investigation revealed two new details: First, the four-man gang stole eight jewelry from the Apollo gallery in just seven minutes, but only avoided the hall valued more than $60 million "Royal King" diamond; Second, a Louvre security guard stopped the thief on the fire, forcing the other party to abandon the "Queen of Owen" in panic.

According to reports, a total of four people committed the case, two of them dressed as workers, wearing a yellow reflective jacket, using an elevator to enter the Louvre from the outside, and two others riding a motorcycle.

Currently, the Paris Prosecutor¡¯s Office has filed the case under the name of ¡°organized gang theft¡± and is being investigated by the Paris Police Department¡¯s investigative team. Art analysts predict that in order to appear as soon as possible, thieves may not care about the collections and soon ¡°melt precious metals or re-cut gemstones.¡±

A thief in a yellow jacket.

A group of 4 people used an elevator to wrap 8 collections in 7 minutes.

On the evening of 19th local time, the Louvre issued an announcement confirming that on the morning of the same day, a theft occurred in Apollo Gallery, which collects French royal jewelry in the museum and is known as "the most luxurious promenade of the Louvre".

According to French Interior Minister Nunes and Paris prosecutor Bekoo, the ¡°major robbery¡± took place around 9:30 a.m., shortly after the museum had just opened.

French Minister of Culture Dati said the operation took only "4 minutes", while Interior Minister Nunez said it "lasted 7 minutes". The Louvre announcement described the invasion as "extremely rapid and destructive".

Thieves used the construction lift to enter the Louvre

According to Interior Minister Nuñez, the gang who had "evidently made a step" did not enter through the front door, but instead took advantage of the building area of the museum "on the side of the Seine River."They used an external cargo elevator "loaded on a truck," directly from the outside to the balcony of the Apollo Gallery.

Later, they used an "angle grinder" to forcibly cut open and break the gallery window. According to prosecutor Becouo, the group "was not carrying weapons," but they "threatened" security personnel at the scene with an angle grinder.

Thieves enter the promenade through this window

Ryan El Mandari, a tour guide who was leading the Apollo Promenade at that time, revealed that he heard the sound of someone "stepping on" the window, and then the security guards shouted "Go out and evacuate!"

The thief set the fire and was stopped by a security guard

The thief left the crown behind when he fled in a panic

The Louvre announcement indicated that the outside windows of the gallery and the alarm system for the broken cabinet had been activated. At the time, five staff in the exhibition hall and nearby areas immediately followed security procedures, contacted the police and protected the personnel on the scene.

According to a statement from the French Ministry of Culture, a Louvre security guard thwarted the thieves 'attempt to set fire to the truck used to carry out the raid, and the thieves immediately fled.

Sources revealed that while fleeing, the thieves tried to "set fire" to the truck and lifting pod they were using to destroy evidence. At the critical moment,"a Louvre employee"(security guard) thwarted the arson attempt.

When the suspect escaped in panic, he not only abandoned part of the equipment, but also dropped the stolen "Queen of Owen" crown, a 19th-century crown featuring 1354 diamonds and 56 grandmother greens, which is currently "in the process of assessing".

The thief fled when the crown of Queen Eugene fell.

Policely found on the scene and on the escape route "two corner millers, a jet lamp, gasoline, gloves, a pair machine, a blanket, a yellow reflector jacket and that crown."

8 pieces of jewelry were stolen, and the "Regent" diamond survived

Art experts worry, thieves or melt precious metals or cut gemstones

On the evening of October 19, the Louvre released an official list of the theft. The thieves targeted "two high-security display cabinets" and a total of 8 pieces of jewelry with "incalculable historical value" were stolen.

Christopher Marinello, founder of the International Organization for the Recovery of Works of Art, said that if the thieves just wanted to emerge as soon as possible, they could ¡°melt precious metals or re-cut gemstones¡± without taking into account the integrity of the work.

Fortunately, the most prestigious diamond in the Apollo Walk, the Sophockey, valued at more than $60 million, survived and prosecutor Beko said why the thieves didn¡¯t target it was ¡°still a mystery.¡±

Thieves did not steal more than $60 million worth of "Regent" diamonds

French President Emmanuel Macron said that night that the theft was a "grave violation of the value of France's cultural heritage", related to the country's history and memory, and pledged to do its utmost to find out.

While Interior Minister Nunez admitted that this was a "major robbery", he also admitted in front of the media that "there is a huge vulnerability (loophole) in the French museum (system)."

According to CCTV news reports, French Minister of Culture Dati said that under the framework of the "Louvre New Renaissance Plan" announced by President Macron at the beginning of the year, the museum is deploying a new security system, including a new generation of surveillance camera systems and a new central security command center.

At present, the Paris Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into charges such as "organized gang theft".

Red Star journalist Deng Shuyi comprehensive CCTV news

(Source: Red Star News)