France's Beloved Crown Jewels Stolen: Is Recovery Still Possible?


French police are desperate to retrieve priceless jewels stolen from the Louvre in a brazen daylight robbery, but experts have warned it may already be too late to save them.


On Sunday, thieves broke into the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight valued items before escaping on scooters, in a daring heist that took about eight minutes.


Dutch art detective Arthur Brand expressed concerns that the jewels could already be long gone, having likely been broken up into hundreds of parts. Other experts who analyzed the situation indicated that the pieces are likely to be sold for a fraction of their worth and smuggled out of France.


Who may be behind the heist


The professionalism of the gang is underscored by their quick in-and-out operation at the Louvre. Mr. Brand noted that a normal person doesn’t just decide to rob the Louvre without previous experience in burglary.


Specialist police units known for cracking high-profile robberies are now tracking these criminals, suspected to be part of an organized crime network. Given their experience, the perpetrators would likely possess criminal records known to authorities.


As investigations proceed, police have collected evidence such as a vest and equipment left at the scene, which could lead to capturing the thieves through DNA analysis.


Organized crime networks often aim to either benefit a sponsor or procure valuables to launder money. Mr. Brand stresses it would be nearly impossible to sell the jewels intact, asserting that the likelihood of such tailored thefts occurring is more Hollywood than reality.


Potential £10m price tag


Mr. Brand believes the stolen objects will soon be dismantled, with gold and silver melted down, and the precious stones divided into smaller sections to evade detection. Jewelry historian Carol Woolton highlighted how the robbers selectively targeted the most significant gemstones available.


While the items stolen are deemed priceless, Woolton expects they could be sold for a fraction of their value to buyers willing to handle such hot property. Total estimates for the haul could reach as high as £10 million, considering the potential earnings from selling the gemstones and gold.


Despite the grim outlook, some still cling to hope that these treasures could resurface intact in the future. The emotional toll of the heist resonates deeply within France, where many feel a collective ownership over these artifacts, much like the iconic Mona Lisa. The loss is emblematic, provoking sentiments from cultural theft to loss of national pride.


Additional reporting by Izumi Yoneyama.