France Treats Louvre Heist as Inside Job Robbery
(MENAFN) French investigators probing the spectacular robbery at the Louvre Museum have uncovered signs that the theft may have been aided from within, media reported Saturday, citing sources close to the case.
Four masked men armed with a chainsaw stormed the world-renowned Paris museum last week, seizing eight pieces from France’s crown jewels valued at roughly $102 million.
According to media, detectives found digital messages and recordings suggesting contact between museum employees and members of the suspected gang ahead of the break-in.
“We have found digital forensic evidence that shows there was cooperation with one of the museum’s security guards and the thieves,” a source told media.
“Sensitive information was passed on about the museum’s security, which is how they were aware of the breach.”
Authorities believe the burglars used a crane to access a balcony before smashing a Galerie d’Apollon window. The operation took just seven minutes, with the group escaping down a furniture elevator and fleeing on motorbikes.
Investigators have reportedly gathered over 150 DNA samples from helmets, gloves, and tools left at the scene.
Louvre director Laurence des Cars told a French Senate committee that a surveillance camera near the break-in point was “pointing in the wrong direction,” calling the theft a “terrible failure.” Following the incident, the museum moved several prized jewels to the Bank of France for protection.
On Sunday, two suspects were arrested near Paris — one at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to fly to Algeria — according to a media source who said both men were in their 30s and one was identified through DNA traces.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests but criticized ongoing leaks to the press, warning they could “hinder the efforts of the 100 investigators mobilized.”
As of Sunday, none of the stolen crown jewels had been recovered. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised police for their progress but urged that the probe continue “in accordance with judicial secrecy.”
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