When someone is told to imagine a heist of a national art museum, they would not imagine a crime that lasts a maximum of ten minutes in the middle of the day involving people dressed in bright construction vests. On Oct. 19, 2025, however, this exact situation occurred as nine items with a combined value of one hundred million dollars were stolen from the Louvre Museum, a famous national art museum located in Paris, France. France’s Brigade for the Repression of Banditry (BRB), otherwise known as France’s special police, are leading the investigation.
The items stolen included the necklace and earrings of Empress Marie-Louise; a necklace, earrings, and tiara from Queen Hortense and Queen Marie-Amélie; and a brooch, bodice bow, and tiara from Empress Eugénie. Empress Eugénie’s crown was also stolen, but was dropped near the museum, soon to be retrieved and put back in place. All of them were originally taken from the Galerie d’Apollon.
While the BRB is still uncertain of the location of the jewels stolen, there have been four suspects arrested. Three of them have been charged with organized theft and criminal conspiracy, and the other has been charged with complicity. The thieves were found through DNA, cell records and items left behind at the crime scene. One of them was apprehended at the Charles de Gaulle Airport with a one-way ticket to Algeria.
Although this crime was committed on Oct. 19, the process started back on Oct. 10 when the thieves falsely secured a basket lift. This was done through a non-violent threat the thieves passed to the company who originally owned the truck. From there, less than an hour after the Louvre’s opening, they dressed as construction workers and put cones up around the stolen vehicle to make it seem like a maintenance operation.
From there, two of the four climbed the ladder, reached the balcony and entered through a window. Once inside the Galerie d’Apollon, they used a circular saw to cut the glass of the displays and take the jewels. Despite reports of the crime, the thieves were able to leave the window they entered and flee the scene on motor bikes driven by the other two.
Though all suspects have not yet been convicted, this heist has led to questions about the competency of the security systems in Paris and places such as the Louvre. While these convictions or sentences may not be finalized anytime soon, this heist will be an event that not only will be documented and heard of in years to come but also bring into question security systems such as the one functioning at the Louvre
