French Authorities Intensify Search for Stolen Royal Jewels

French authorities are actively pursuing the recovery of priceless royal jewels stolen from the Louvre during a daring daylight heist. The robbery, which took place on March 4, 2024, has left the nation in shock as the thieves escaped with nine items of jewelry belonging to the French royal family. Among the stolen items was a crown adorned with more than 1,300 diamonds, which was discovered damaged shortly after the heist along the escape route taken by the four suspects on scooters.

With eight royal jewels still missing, investigators are racing against time to locate them. According to Erin Thompson, an art crime expert from John Jay College, the nature of these items poses a significant challenge for recovery. “They stole items that can be easily taken apart, melted down, recut, and sold on the legitimate market with it being very difficult to trace them,” Thompson stated.

The French Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, revealed on Monday that over 60 investigators have been assigned to the case. The prosecutor’s office has obtained security camera footage showing the thieves arriving outside the museum moments before the robbery. Prosecutors detailed that the thieves spent a mere four minutes inside the Louvre, executing their plan with alarming efficiency.

Investigators are analyzing evidence left at the scene, including a vest and equipment, as well as a bottle of liquid spilled from the truck used to position an extendable ladder against the museum wall. Authorities are also scrutinizing the alarm system’s functionality as part of their investigation.

Art security expert Anthony Amore suggested that the thieves may be waiting to gauge the museum’s response. “They are probably waiting to see what the museum’s response is going to be because they would probably want to know what all their options are in terms of monetizing what they’ve successfully stolen,” Amore commented. He expressed hope that the stolen pieces remain intact, emphasizing the urgency for French authorities to act swiftly in the days ahead.

The Louvre, typically closed on Tuesdays, has not confirmed whether it will reopen on Wednesday, leaving many tourists in Paris uncertain about their plans. Jacob Barker, an American visiting the museum, described the chaos during the robbery. “We heard a banging sound followed by the high-pitched, piercing sound of a saw. We didn’t know if there was one chainsaw-wielding robber behind that window, or if there were 100 mass terrorists,” Barker recalled.

The heist, dubbed the “heist of the century” by several French newspapers, has compounded the challenges facing the French government. Gerald Darmanin, French Justice Minister, acknowledged the gravity of the situation during an interview on France Inter radio. “We have failed,” he stated, adding that the theft has created a “negative” and “deplorable” image of France. “The French people all feel like they’ve been robbed,” Darmanin remarked.

This incident has raised serious concerns about the security of cultural landmarks in France, particularly following a series of similar robberies. The nation is already grappling with social unrest and political gridlock, making the recovery of these royal jewels a pressing issue.

Claudine Hemingway, who leads tours of Paris and the Louvre, expressed her disbelief at the event’s occurrence, comparing her feelings to the devastating fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019. “I think in a way I’m still in shock. You cannot believe that this happened,” Hemingway said, capturing the sentiment felt by many in France following this audacious crime.