Yesterday morning, the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati aware an announcement on social media that could have come straight out of a heist movie: “This morning a robbery took place at the opening of the Louvre Museum.”
The minister confirmed that there were no injuries and that investigations are being carried out. While you might think the world’s most visited museum would have greater security 100 years after Vincenzo Peruggia’s death, the infamous Mona Lisa thiefThe thieves are still on the loose along with “eight objects of inestimable heritage value,” according to a report statement by the Ministry of Culture. This is what they are.
what they stole
TO diadem (a crown-like ornament), a necklaceand a single earring from a set of sapphire jewelry belonging to Queen Hortense and then to Queen Marie-Amélie. The complex dates from the first third of the 19th century. The diadem includes 24 sapphires and 1,083 diamonds; The necklace includes eight sapphires and 631 diamonds; The earring includes two sapphires and 59 diamonds.
Hydrangea She was the adopted daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte and the natural daughter of his wife Josephine. She was briefly queen of Holland from 1806. Maria Amélie from Naples she married Louis Philippe, future king of France, in 1809.
Next on the list of stolen items is a emerald necklace and a couple of emerald earringswhich also appear to be part of the same set that Napoleon gave to the Empress Maria Luisa in 1810. The necklace consists of 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds, while the earrings consist of six emeralds and a total of 108 diamonds. Maria Luisa She was the second wife of Napoleon and great-niece of Queen Marie Antoinette.
The thieves also took two brooches dating from 1855 and a diadem dating from 1853, all belonging to Empress Eugenie. The “reliquary” brooch includes 94 diamonds, the one in the shape of an arch brooch includes 2,438 diamonds and 196 rose-cut diamonds, and the diadem It includes 212 pearls, 1998 diamonds and 992 rose-cut diamonds.
According to the statement, they left Empress Eugenie’s house behind. crown (1855), which includes 1,354 diamonds, 1,136 rose-cut diamonds and 56 emeralds. Eugenia She was the wife of Napoleon III, the French emperor.
How did they do it?
Four hooded criminals arrived on scooters (which look like motorcycles) and entered the Apolo Gallery on the second floor with a staff platform, according to reports. Le Parisian. Commonly known as man baskets, man platforms are specialized. elevators for the workers. The thieves broke the glass with the help of an angle grinder and two men entered the museum.
According to the statement, the thieves activated the security alarms and fled, leaving their equipment behind and failing in their attempt to set their vehicle on fire. Empress Eugenie’s crown was found outside and damaged, according to the French newspaper.
