Louvre Heist Causes $103 Million Loss in Historic Jewelry Theft

Thieves executed a bold daylight heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing royal jewelry valued at approximately 88 million euros. The heist involved four criminals using a crane to break an upstairs window and escaping on motorbikes, taking eight pieces including a tiara and earrings from Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, while Empress Eugenie's crown was found dropped outside. Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau emphasized the historical damage far outweighs the economic loss. The robbery, which occurred shortly after the museum opened, lasted six to seven minutes and exposed security weaknesses, with only a quarter of one wing under video surveillance. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the theft as an attack on the nation's heritage, assuring that the stolen items will be recovered and the perpetrators prosecuted. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence to locate the suspects and understand their motives, especially why highly valuable items like the Regent diamond were left untouched.