Thieves Steal Millions in Daylight Heist at Louvre Leaving Over 150 DNA Traces

A brazen daytime robbery at Paris’s Louvre saw four burglars break into the first-floor Gallery of Apollo.

“French investigators are analyzing around 150 DNA samples, fingerprints, and other traces following a daylight jewel theft at the Louvre museum in Paris”

The Straits Times

They used tools and lifting equipment to steal royal jewels worth tens of millions.

The Straits Times

The thieves fled while leaving behind a trove of forensic clues.

Investigators have discovered over 150 pieces of DNA, fingerprints, and other traces on items the gang abandoned.

These items include a helmet, angle grinders, gloves, and a vest.

The Paris prosecutor cautioned that analysis of the evidence takes time.

Accounts differ on the method and value of the theft.

Reports describe a stolen movers’ truck and various equipment such as an extendable ladder, a mechanical ladder, or even a furniture lift.

The haul is valued at approximately €88 million or about US$102 million.

The thieves acted swiftly, striking shortly after the museum opened and finishing in under 10 minutes according to one account.

At least one jewel, the emerald-and-diamond crown, was later recovered damaged nearby.

Security failures—and how to fix them—are now front and center.

The Indian Express reports the thieves exploited outdated CCTV systems, blind spots, and a non-functioning alarm system.

Washington Post

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin condemned the lapses for damaging France’s reputation.

WION echoes that insufficient camera surveillance was acknowledged by the Louvre’s director.

The Straits Times notes a security blind spot on the exterior walls even as cameras later helped track suspects.

In contrast, Amader Barta reports des Cars defended an €80 million security plan and denied delays.

DW adds that the director has even called for a police station inside the museum, underscoring divergent prescriptions and tones across outlets.

What the thieves took—and left—speaks to both technique and cultural loss.

“The Louvre's director, Laurence des Cars, acknowledged on Wednesday that the museum's external camera surveillance was inadequate following a daring daytime theft of priceless jewels worth around €88 million ($102 million) on Sunday”

Amader Barta

The Straits Times reports eight pieces of jewelry tied to Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Eugénie were stolen.

The BBC lists a diamond and emerald necklace gifted by Emperor Napoleon to his wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugénie, and items from Queen Marie-Amélie among the stolen pieces.

WION adds that Empress Eugénie’s crown was later found damaged near the museum and may be restored.

This aligns with Amader Barta’s note that the damaged crown is believed to be restorable.

Far Out alone stresses the jewels were uninsured, adding further sting to the loss.

Forensic teams are currently sifting through about 150 DNA-related traces.

The Louvre raid fits a broader pattern of cultural heists across France.

Several sources link it to a coins theft at the Denis Diderot museum, described as in 'Langres' or 'Landres', with about 2,000 pieces taken and valued at roughly €90,000 or $104,000.

New York Post

Timelines vary: some say the coins theft happened on the same day as the Louvre raid, others say a day after, or just hours later.

Coverage also recalls earlier crimes, including gold nuggets worth about €1.5 million to $1.7 million stolen from Paris’s Natural History Museum.

There was also multimillion-euro porcelain taken from Limoges, with arrests made in some related cases.

The cumulative effect of these incidents is described as a national reckoning over museum security.

As the investigation widens, France is relying on forensic science and media attention to keep the stolen jewels recoverable.

“A second French museum, the Maison des Lumières in Landres, was robbed just hours after a $100 million theft at the Louvre”

New York Post

DW reports that analyzing the more than 150 genetic and trace samples is a priority but will require time.

NationalTurk

The Straits Times adds that authorities hope the media spotlight will discourage the resale of the stolen items.

Amader Barta states that over 100 investigators are working on the case and that the Louvre has reopened except for the Apollo Gallery.

However, FinancialContent and the New York Post warn of a more troubling possibility—precious metals can be easily melted down or sold due to high market prices, making recovery difficult.

Both sources note that investigations are still ongoing.