In a stunning development, recent footage captures the moment when the Louvre thieves executed a peculiar slow-motion escape while absconding with the French crown jewels. The video shows two individuals, one clad in a high-visibility jacket and the other in a motorbike jacket, calmly descending a cherry picker they had clandestinely positioned outside the museum just before their bold theft of nine invaluable artifacts.

The perpetrators seemed to have ample time for their getaway as they smoothly rode off on motorcycles post-descent. Despite five days passing since the incident, authorities have not made any arrests related to the £76 million heist, leading to criticism from opposition figures in France who have labeled it a “national embarrassment.”

Among the pilfered items, only Empress Eugenie’s crown has been recovered after reportedly being dropped on the pavement during the escape. The remaining stolen treasures, including significant pieces like a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie and jewelry associated with historical figures like Napoleon III and Empress Marie-Louise, are still unaccounted for, raising concerns that they may have been fragmented for illicit trade.

Amid the ongoing investigation, the Louvre has reopened to the public under heightened security measures. Meanwhile, the museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, admitted a severe lapse in security protocols during a senate committee hearing, acknowledging deficient CCTV coverage around the museum premises.

In a separate development, a British art expert, Curtis Dowling, reported receiving suspicious inquiries about the stolen jewels shortly after the heist. Dowling claimed that individuals from Russia and the Middle East contacted him offering substantial sums to authenticate valuable French jewelry, indicating a potential link to the stolen Louvre items. Despite the tempting offers, Dowling declined involvement, emphasizing ethical concerns and the risks associated with dealing in stolen goods.

Dowling, known for his role in the TV show “Treasure Detectives,” cautioned about the rapid circulation of stolen items in the underground market and highlighted the prevalence of counterfeit replicas targeting unsuspecting collectors.