Armed Gang Steals Crown Jewels from Louvre in Four-Minute Heist

A gang of four thieves stole priceless diamond-encrusted jewels from the Louvre in Paris on Sunday, using a mechanical lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon through first-floor glass doors from the Seine's bankside at 9:30 local time. Wearing fluorescent jackets, they threatened guards, used small chainsaws to break original Napoleon-era display cases, and escaped on scooters in four minutes. The haul included nine items, among them a brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie (wife of Napoleon III) and a pair of emerald earrings; Eugénie's crown was dropped and recovered damaged. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the value as 'incalculable'. The museum was evacuated and remains closed as of Monday. A leaked January memo from museum director Laurence des Cars to culture minister Rachida Dati warned of the 'severe reality' of the museum's overworked buildings and poor infrastructure, noting that historical display cases were prioritized over modern reinforced glass.