In a daring daylight heist at the renowned Louvre museum in central Paris, historic crown jewels valued at £76 million were stolen in a swift seven-minute operation involving chainsaw-wielding thieves scaling the building. Recent reports suggest that the robbery may have been facilitated by an inside collaborator from the museum’s security team, as digital evidence indicates communication between a security guard and the perpetrators.

The thieves utilized a furniture lift to access the first floor and breach the Galerie d’Apollon, where the jewels were stored in display cases amidst a crowd of visitors. Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the robbery, with one arrested at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to flee to Algeria.

Although nine priceless pieces from the Napoleon and Empress Joséphine collection were successfully stolen, one item was dropped during the escape. The culprits made a swift exit using a cherry picker and motorcycles to navigate through the streets of central Paris.

Following the incident, the Louvre’s director offered to resign due to what was described as a significant security lapse, with a key camera in the gallery misaligned. The theft has caused public outrage, with concerns raised about the likelihood of recovering the stolen valuables. French authorities have initiated both a police investigation and an administrative inquiry to ensure transparency regarding the security breach at the museum.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati emphasized that the Louvre’s security measures did not fail, emphasizing the effectiveness of the museum’s security apparatus. Despite efforts to prevent the theft, the director acknowledged the failure in detecting the thieves’ presence early enough, leading to the successful heist.