The jewelry stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris is estimated to be worth 88 million euros ($102 million), according to a French prosecutor, as authorities continue the search for the historical treasures. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told a French radio station that the value of the loot was estimated by the museums curator. Beccuau noted that while the sum is spectacular, the historical damage caused by the theft is incomparable to the economic loss. Around 100 investigators are involved in the effort to track down the criminals who made off with artifacts from the French crown jewels, dating from the Napoleonic era. Experts fear the recovery prospects are slim, but Beccuau cautioned that the thieves may struggle to obtain the full value if they dismantle the pieces to resell the jewels or melt down the metals. The Louvre remained closed Tuesday but is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, though the targeted Apollo Gallery will stay closed.
The thieves used a truck-mounted ladder to access the Apollo Gallery through a window. Armed with tools, including an angle grinder and a blowtorch, they targeted two high-security display cases. The prosecutor's office stated that the entire operation was extremely quick: two men wearing yellow vests broke a window at 9:34 a.m. and left just four minutes later at 9:38 a.m., escaping on two scooters along the banks of the Seine. The entire operation lasted just seven minutes, according to authorities.The artifacts taken are of significant historical importance. Among them was a diamond and sapphire jewelry set featuring a tiara and necklace worn by Queen Marie-Amlie and Queen Hortense. The tiara alone contains 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds that can be detached and worn as brooches. Also stolen was an emerald necklace and earrings set that was a wedding gift from Napoleon to his second wife, Marie-Louise of Austria, in March 1810. This set is comprised of 32 intricately cut emeralds and 1,138 diamonds. Eight of the nine items taken remain unaccounted for.French Justice Minister Grald Darmanin admitted the heist exposed security failings at the museum, stating, "What is certain is that we have failed," and adding that the "French people all feel like theyve been robbed." An unnamed law enforcement official confirmed that investigators are thoroughly examining the abandoned truck for traces of DNA and fingerprints, a process slightly delayed by the need to build a tent around the vehicle for fuming. On Tuesday, one of the getaway scooters and a helmet believed to have been worn by one of the thieves were recovered. Many officials and experts are pessimistic about recovery. Natalie Goulet, a Centrist member of the French senate, believes the jewelry is "lost forever," likely taken out of the country to be "cut up and sold and used as a money-laundering system," suggesting a link to organized crime. Christopher Marinello, the founder of Art Recovery International, noted that thieves aiming for quick cash might melt down precious metals or recut the stones, which would destroy the pieces' historical integrity.
0 Comments