Title: Shocking Video Captures Louvre Heist Escape: Thieves Use Mechanical Ladder in Daylight
A startling new video has surfaced, appearing to show the alleged thieves involved in the Louvre heist making their getaway on a mechanical ladder in the middle of the day. The footage reveals two individuals anxiously scanning their surroundings as they descend from the scene, just minutes after the iconic Paris museum was breached and €88 million (approximately £77 million) worth of France’s crown jewels were stolen.
Despite the audacious theft, the gang of four thieves remains at large. On Wednesday, the Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, acknowledged that museum staff failed to detect the heist early enough due to inadequate surveillance—there was only one camera monitoring the gallery where the priceless items were displayed.
In the video, the truck equipped with the ladder can be seen parked along a busy road adjacent to the Seine River, with vehicles passing by obliviously. Des Cars informed French lawmakers that the museum plans to significantly enhance its security by doubling the number of CCTV cameras both inside and outside the Louvre. She admitted that the single camera focused on the Gallery of Apollo—where the jewels were kept—was unfortunately pointed in the wrong direction.
“There is a security gap at the Louvre, and I fully acknowledge it,” des Cars stated candidly.
Paris city prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed to Ouest France that authorities have collected up to 150 DNA samples and fingerprints as part of the ongoing investigation. The brazen theft was executed in under eight minutes, occurring shortly after the museum opened its doors to the public at 09:30 AM local time (06:30 GMT) on Sunday.
Among the eight stolen items were an exquisite emerald necklace and earrings, which were originally presented to Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, Marie-Louise, as a wedding gift. During their hasty escape, the thieves dropped a 19th-century diamond-studded crown belonging to Empress Eugénie. Although the crown was later recovered, it suffered damage, and des Cars indicated that it was likely crushed as the thieves forcibly removed it from its display case.
As the investigation continues, the Louvre faces scrutiny over its security measures and the need to protect its invaluable treasures.
