The World’s Biggest Heist: ₹850 Crore Royal Jewels Stolen in 7 Minutes
An unprecedented heist at Paris’s world-famous Louvre Museum has shocked not only France but the entire world. In just 7 minutes, royal jewels worth approximately ₹850 crore (102 million USD) were stolen, marking what is being called the largest museum theft to date. According to the latest updates, French police have arrested two suspects and deployed hundreds of officers to probe the case thoroughly.
The Heist: “Royal Treasure” Stolen in 7 Minutes
Police reports state that the heist occurred on the morning of October 19 around 4 AM, when a gang of four broke into the Louvre Museum’s Apollo Gallery. This is the same gallery where priceless jewels of 19th-century French royalty are displayed. The perpetrators used a stolen moving truck and a large retractable ladder to carry out the robbery.
They broke a first-floor window to enter, attempted to disable security cameras, and in just 7–8 minutes, smashed and removed the precious jewels. The thieves then filled the jewels into bags and escaped on scooters. Police say the robbery was meticulously planned, with every second executed with professional precision.
The Stolen Royal Jewels
The French Ministry of Culture released a list of the stolen jewels, highlighting both their monetary and historical significance. The items include:
- Crowns of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- Necklace and earrings set with sapphires
- Emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon Bonaparte to his wife Marie-Louise
- Valuable emerald earrings and a brooch
- Crown and brooch of Empress Eugénie
All these pieces are tied to the French royal family and represent the grandeur of the Second Empire. Experts have said that these jewels were invaluable not just in terms of wealth but also as a historical heritage cherished by millions.
Arrests and Investigation: Two Suspects Held, Search Intensifies
On Saturday night, French police arrested two suspects, both reportedly around 30 years old. One suspect was caught at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to flee the country, and the other was taken into custody from the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb.
Authorities believe the gang may consist of four members. Early investigations also suggest the heist could be an inside job. Evidence of contact with the suspects was found in the phone records of a museum security guard, prompting police to investigate the guard’s possible involvement.
So far, eight of the stolen items have not been recovered, and law enforcement teams are conducting raids across the country in search of three additional suspects. Investigators are also probing the involvement of a wealthy collector, who allegedly ordered the theft.
President Macron Orders Security Overhaul
Following the massive theft, French President Emmanuel Macron immediately ordered a review of security at all major museums in the country. He stated, “This incident is an attack on France’s cultural heritage, and those responsible will not be spared under any circumstances.”
Under the president’s directive, a joint team of national security agencies and art experts has been formed to trace the stolen items and strengthen museum security systems. Since the heist, the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery has been closed, and public access has been temporarily suspended.
Louvre Museum’s History of Heists
This is not the first major theft at the Louvre. In 1911, the famous ‘Mona Lisa’ painting was stolen, recovered two years later. In 1983, two Renaissance-era armored suits were also stolen. However, experts describe this recent heist as the “boldest and fastest theft in Louvre history.”
Several Parisians called the incident a “stain on France’s reputation,” while art historians warned that the theft exemplifies the risks of fake transactions and “black-market art dealing” in the international art world.
Current Status (October 26 Update)
- Two suspects in police custody; interrogations ongoing.
- Stolen jewels have not yet been recovered.
- Agencies are searching for three additional suspects nationwide.
- Investigation into the involvement of a wealthy foreign collector is underway.
- Security agencies have deployed extra guards and surveillance drones at the Louvre and other national museums.
According to Paris police, the case may soon be resolved, as investigators have obtained strong leads from high-tech surveillance footage and smartphone location data.
For now, the world’s attention remains on France, where the mystery of this grand heist of historical and cultural treasures deepens by the hour.
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