"The thieves struck at about 9.30 a.m. (0730 GMT) when the museum had already opened its doors to the public, and entered the Galerie d'Apollon building, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The robbery took around four minutes, Culture Minister Rachida Dati told TF1, and it was carried out by professionals. "We saw some footage: they don't target people, they enter calmly in four minutes, smash display cases, take their loot, and leave. No violence, very professional," she said on TF1."
"She said one piece of jewellery had been recovered outside the museum, apparently dropped as they made their escape. Dati declined to say what the item was, but newspaper Le Parisien said it was believed to be the crown of Napoleon III's wife, Empress Eugénie. The jewel was broken, the newspaper said. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told France Inter that three or four thieves got into the museum from outside using a crane that was positioned on a truck."
Thieves executed a rapid, professional raid at the Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon around 9:30 a.m., soon after the museum opened to the public. They used a crane mounted on a truck to break an upstairs window, entered calmly, smashed display cases and stole several jewels in about four minutes. One damaged piece was recovered outside, apparently dropped during the escape and reported to be Empress Eugénie's crown. No injuries were reported. A specialized police unit has opened an investigation. Footage showed visitors evacuating during the disruption and concerns about museum security and underinvestment were raised.
Read at Irish Independent
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