Louvre heist: 'We have failed' says France's justice minister on museum's security| DW News

Key Concepts

• Louvre Museum Heist: Theft of eight priceless historic jewelry pieces from the Louvre Museum in Paris.
• Freight Lift and Cherry Picker: Tools used by thieves to access upper windows of the museum.
• Security Shortcomings: Acknowledged lack of adequate security measures in French museums, specifically at the Louvre.
• Art Crime Investigator: Arthur Brand, an expert in recovering stolen art and artifacts.
• Laying Low: Thieves typically hide their stolen goods and avoid attention after a heist.
• Dismantling and Melting: Thieves often break down valuable items (like jewelry) into components (diamonds, gold, silver) to sell them individually and obscure their origin.
• Surveillance Footage Analysis: Investigators review security camera footage from extended periods to identify suspicious individuals.
• Usual Suspects: Law enforcement maintains lists of known criminals with a history of similar crimes.
• Professional Thieves: The heist indicates a high level of skill and experience, suggesting the perpetrators are not amateurs.
• Targeted Items: The thieves specifically targeted French crown jewels, likely for their diamonds, gold, and silver content.
• Commissioned Heist: The transcript debunks the idea of commissioned heists for such items, stating they are too risky to sell or display.
• Race Against Time: Recovering the stolen items is urgent, as the longer the thieves have, the more likely they are to sell or dismantle the loot.
• Slowing Down Thieves: The primary security strategy is to make it more difficult and time-consuming for thieves to operate, thus increasing their risk of apprehension.
• Global Impact: The Louvre heist could inspire similar crimes in other museums worldwide.
• "Clean Heist": A heist executed without violence or casualties, though still a criminal act.

Louvre Museum Heist and Security Debate

The world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris experienced a significant security breach when thieves stole eight priceless pieces of historic jewelry. The heist, which occurred on a Sunday in broad daylight, involved the use of a freight lift to access an upper window. This incident has triggered a widespread debate regarding the inadequate security measures in French museums. The country's justice minister has admitted to shortcomings in protecting the Louvre, questioning the lack of secured windows and the possibility of using a cherry picker on a public highway. The former Minister of the Interior acknowledged the difficulty of complete security but stated that the failure was evident given the ease with which the thieves operated. The incident has cast a negative image on France.

Expert Analysis by Arthur Brand

Arthur Brand, a renowned Dutch art crime investigator, often referred to as the "Indiana Jones of the art world," provided insights into the aftermath of the heist.

Immediate Actions of the Thieves

Brand explained that typically, thieves "lay low for a while" after such heists to avoid attracting attention. Within a week to two weeks, they would likely attempt to sell the stolen items. However, due to the priceless nature and global recognition of these specific pieces, selling them intact is improbable. Therefore, the thieves' probable plan is to "dismantle all the diamonds to melt down the gold and the silver."

Investigative Strategies

If Brand were investigating, his first move, mirroring what the police are likely doing, would be to meticulously review security footage. This would involve examining not only recent footage but also recordings from the "last two months." The rationale is that the thieves likely entered the museum as "normal tourists" during this period to assess the "thickness of the glass of the display cases" and the "thickness of the doors." Investigators are currently scrutinizing this footage for any individuals who appeared out of the ordinary. Additionally, law enforcement has a list of "20 usual suspects" with prior involvement in similar, though perhaps not as high-profile, heists.

Nature of the Robbers and the Heist

Brand characterized the Louvre heist as the "heist of the decade," highlighting the audacity of targeting the most famous museum in the world and stealing items related to Napoleon. He emphasized that these perpetrators are "professionals" with a criminal record, not individuals who spontaneously decide to commit such a crime. The ability to enter and exit the Louvre within "4 minutes with the French crown jewels" underscores their expertise and lack of amateurism.

Targeted Items and Motives

The thieves specifically targeted the French crown jewels, not indiscriminately grabbing whatever they could. Brand explained that while the jewels themselves are unsellable, they contain "thousands of diamonds." By dismantling these objects, the diamonds can be sold separately, severing any link to the heist. This aligns with a recent trend in museum heists over the "last 10 to 15 years," which have increasingly focused on "gold, silver and diamonds."

Debunking Commissioned Heists

Brand dismissed the notion of a "commissioned heist" for these items, stating that such scenarios are "only seen in the movies." He argued that no legitimate collector would risk acquiring these highly recognizable items due to the severe consequences of being caught, including imprisonment and the inability to display or pass them on. The thieves' primary objective is to "melt it down to dismantle these items and to try to sell it." He also noted that police might use the pretense of a collector to lure and apprehend the thieves.

Chances of Recovery

Brand believes the thieves "will get caught" due to the extensive efforts of the police and secret service. However, the critical question is "where is the loot?" He stressed that it is a "race against time." If the thieves are apprehended within "two or three months," there's a higher chance of recovering the diamonds before they are sold. The sooner the thieves are caught, the more likely the loot will be found.

Surprise at the Ease of the Break-in

Brand expressed that the ease of the break-in at the Louvre was an "ultimate scandal." He acknowledged the inherent difficulty in securing a museum, as individuals could potentially enter with a weapon. The primary strategy is to "make it harder for them to slow them down." Thieves typically plan their operations within a limited timeframe, often "five, six minutes before the police arrives." By increasing the thickness of glass or adding more doors, the time required for a heist can be extended, making it riskier for the perpetrators.

Implications for Future Security

The Louvre incident necessitates action to improve security. More significantly, it poses a "bigger problem" for the "tens of thousands of museums all around the world." These institutions are now concerned that if the Louvre can be targeted, local criminals might be emboldened to attempt similar heists at their own museums. This raises a significant risk, causing widespread anxiety among museum professionals.

Respect for the Heist

While acknowledging that the thieves are often "idolized in movies," Brand stated that this is "not correct" as it is a crime. However, as an "art detective," he emphasizes the importance of "never underestimate my enemies." He noted that from a certain perspective, the heist was "clean" as there was "no violence" and "nobody was shot or killed." He admitted that many might consider it the "perfect heist," but the ultimate goal is to apprehend the criminals and recover the stolen items intact.