Professional thieves broke into the Louvre Sunday morning — stealing priceless jewels that belonged to Emperor Napoleon in a brazen daylight heist in Paris.
The robbers used an aerial lift and an angle grinder to break in through the window of the iconic French attraction, before making off with nine pieces of jewelry, Le Parisien reported.
The gang was in an out in just 10 minute — between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m., French outlet Le Monde reported.
The museum was evacuated and closed as police swarmed the area — sparking panic among some tourists.
Among the items snatched were a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara — the exact worth of which are still being calculated.
Forensic work is now underway to compile a detailed list of what was stolen, the French government said.
One of the precious items, believed to be a crown belonging to Napoleon’s wife, Empress Eugenie, was discovered damaged outside the gallery, according to Le Parisien.
“Beyond their market value, the items have inestimable heritage and historical value,” the French Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The news has sparked fury in France, with conservatives branding the scandal a national “humiliation” on Sunday.
“The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture. This heist, which allowed thieves to steal the Crown Jewels of France, is an intolerable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?” Jordan Bardella, a politician with the right-wing National Rally Party wrote on X.
Three masked thieves were involved in the crime, which took place in the Apollon Gallery on the second floor of the museum, overlooking the River Seine, at a part of the building where construction work is currently taking place.
