An ex-FBI art crime specialist has suggested that the group of robbers who targeted the Louvre Museum on Sunday, absconding with several of France’s renowned crown jewels, could potentially melt down their stolen goods.
Tim Carpenter further implied that those responsible for the “astonishing” operation had specifically sought out treasures possessing significant cultural and historical importance.
“This particular robbery was premeditated,” reported Digital.
He elaborated, stating, “They had clear knowledge of their targets, comprehending both the value and cultural significance of these artifacts. Furthermore, they recognized the immense importance these items held for the French populace.”
Carpenter also pointed out that it was “alarming” that “the robbery occurred during daylight hours when the museum was operational.”
The Louvre had to shut down after the incident, which transpired in less than seven minutes, prompting law enforcement to urgently pursue the recovery of the jewels.
The incursion, occurring at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time, focused on the museum’s Apollo Gallery, a repository for historical artifacts associated with Napoleon and Empress Eugénie.
The group allegedly pilfered a crown thought to have been Empress Eugénie’s, according to reports.
The reported that a total of eight items were seized, among them a sapphire diadem, a necklace, and a single earring, all part of a matching ensemble connected to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense.
Also reportedly taken were an emerald necklace and matching earrings from Empress Marie-Louise’s collection, along with a reliquary brooch, Empress Eugénie’s diadem, and her substantial corsage-bow brooch.
Carpenter elaborated, saying, “These items could be reduced to their base materials or disassembled. The perpetrators will extract gems from the crowns, reshape them, and then sell them separately.”
As per the French newspaper Le Parisien, the perpetrators, two of whom wore construction worker disguises, gained entry to the museum by parking adjacent to the building. They then utilized a lift to reach a first-floor window, which they breached using an angle grinder.
Carpenter further commented that this particular time “is often when the museum experiences its highest level of disorganization, as visitors are just beginning to settle in.”
He continued, “They gained entry via a window, executing a notably audacious act. These individuals are swift, purposeful, and penetrated the premises with remarkable speed.”
Subsequent to the robbery, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez informed a radio station that the culprits “accessed the building from the exterior employing a basket lift” and “a disc cutter” to cut through the glass display cases housing the valuable jewels.
In a statement, the ministry also declared, “An inquiry has been initiated, and a comprehensive inventory of the pilfered articles is currently being assembled. These items possess not only significant market value but also immeasurable heritage and historical worth.”
Carpenter remarked, “Due to its status as a historic structure, inherent vulnerabilities exist, and these individuals successfully identified and exploited one such weakness.”
He proceeded, “Such an event undeniably poses a risk. When considering a structure like the Louvre, a constant equilibrium must be maintained.”
Carpenter concluded by stating, “I believe the local authorities possess a significant likelihood of conducting a highly effective criminal investigation, identifying those responsible, and ideally retrieving these items before they are permanently lost to the public.”
Digital attempted to contact the Louvre Museum for an official statement.