Thieves steal priceless jewels, Paris museum closed

[ad_1] Thieves stole priceless jewels from the world-famous Louvre in Paris in a daring heist early Sunday that compelled the museum to shut for the day, officers stated.

The thieves broke in utilizing a ladder mounted on the again of a truck at round 9:30 a.m. native time (3:30 a.m. ET) because the museum was opening, French Inside Minister Laurent Nuñez informed radio station France Inter.

The culprits stole jewels of “inestimable worth” from an space that homes the French crown jewels, earlier than fleeing the scene on motor-scooters, he stated. He added that 3 or 4 thieves have been concerned.

It was “manifestly a staff that had accomplished scouting,” Nuñez stated, including that the "skilled" thieves broke into the Galerie d’Apollon by breaking an exterior window with a disc cutter. The stolen jewels had been saved behind glass contained in the gallery, he added.

A picture from the scene confirmed what seemed to be a furnishings elevator propped up in opposition to a second flooring balcony, with police gathered close by to cordon off the realm.

Law enforcement officials stand subsequent to a furnishings elevator utilized by robbers to enter the Louvre on Sunday. DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP - Getty Photographs French Tradition Minister Rachida Dati stated one jewel was discovered close to to the museum and was “being evaluated,” and that the heist lasted simply 4 minutes.

She stated earlier on X that “no accidents have been reported.“

The museum’s web site says the gallery displayed hardstone vessels collected by the kings of France, carved from treasured minerals together with jade and rock crystal.

The gathering additionally consists of the French Crown Jewels and historic diamonds, in line with the positioning.

Nuñez stated it was essential to evacuate individuals from the museum, "primarily to protect proof and clues in order that investigators may work undisturbed.”

“I count on we are going to very quickly discover the thieves and jewels," he added.

An investigation into organized theft and prison conspiracy to commit crime has been launched by the Paris public prosecutor’s workplace, a supply contained in the workplace informed NBC Information.