In a shocking incident last month, the world-renowned Louvre Museum fell victim to a brazen heist, resulting in the theft of $102 million worth of jewels. Disturbingly, it has been revealed that the password for the museum's video surveillance system was alarmingly simple: Louvre. This revelation has sparked serious concerns regarding the museum's security measures, particularly in light of the high-profile theft.
During a recent testimony before a French Senate committee, Laurence des Cars, the president and director of the Louvre, addressed the weaknesses in the museum's security. Notably, it was disclosed that the only camera positioned outside the Apollo Gallery faced west and did not monitor the window through which the thieves gained entry using power tools. Des Cars emphasized that while all alarms and video cameras were operational, there were significant lapses in the museum's perimeter security due to a lack of investment.
According to French investigators, the entire robbery, from initiation to escape, was executed in a mere seven minutes. The thieves utilized a truck-mounted mechanical cherry picker to facilitate their getaway from the targeted Apollo Gallery. In addressing French lawmakers, Des Cars asserted, "The security system, as installed in the Apollo Gallery, worked perfectly." However, he acknowledged the pressing need to adapt security measures to counter new methods of attack that had not been anticipated.
Despite asserting that the security system functioned as intended, Des Cars expressed deep concern over the vulnerabilities exposed by the heist, stating, "Today we are witnessing a terrible failure at the Louvre." He reaffirmed that enhancing the security of the Louvre is one of his top priorities, especially after his alarming discovery of the museum's security situation upon his appointment in 2021.
As the investigation into the October heist progresses, authorities have yet to recover the stolen jewels, even though four suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery. In a recent interview on Franceinfo radio, Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that the search for the missing jewels is ongoing and that all possible leads are being explored. Beccuau noted that the arrests have sparked new searches and the seizure of various items for examination, while at least one individual involved in the robbery remains at large.
The suspects currently in custody do not appear to have ties to organized crime. The initial two suspects arrested include a 39-year-old taxi driver and a 34-year-old delivery man and garbage collector from the northern suburbs of Paris. Their DNA was recovered from the crime scene, and both have partially confessed to their involvement in the heist. The unemployed garbage collector was apprehended at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a one-way flight to Algeria.
The other two suspects, a 37-year-old man and his 38-year-old domestic partner, also hail from the northern regions of Paris. Meanwhile, the Apollo Gallery, which housed the stolen jewels, remains closed to the public as the investigation continues, as indicated on the museum's official website.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that can exist even in institutions as prestigious as the Louvre. The ongoing investigation will hopefully lead to the recovery of the stolen jewels and a reassessment of security protocols to prevent future breaches.
