Louvre Heist Steals Napoleon, Eugénie Jewels

On Oct. 19 thieves used a stolen truck with a movers’ lift to reach the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon, smashed a window, cut open display cases with angle grinders and fled on scooters with crown jewels valued at about €88 million (roughly $102 million). Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the raid was carried out by petty criminals from Seine‑Saint‑Denis rather than organised‑crime professionals. Authorities say three of the four suspects are now under arrest and one remains at large, and several people have been charged with theft, organised theft or criminal conspiracy. Stolen items include Napoleon I’s emerald-and-diamond necklace and a diadem once owned by Empress Eugénie set with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds; investigators say the robbers dropped Eugénie’s crown during the escape. Investigators recovered tools, DNA traces and some discarded jewelry at the scene. With the most valuable pieces still missing and such high‑profile items difficult to sell openly, the heist has prompted intense scrutiny of the Louvre’s security systems and permits.