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Ashtyn Miller | News | December
On October 19, 2025, the infamous heist of the French Crown Jewels took place at The Louvre. In a matter of minutes, four men were able to infiltrate the museum and steal eight of France’s coveted jewels. Here’s a play by play of how they were able to pull off this brazen feat:
At 9:30 am that Sunday, the men parked an industrial truck outside of the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon. Using the truck’s ladder, two of the men were able to gain access to a second floor window. It was here, dressed as construction workers, they cut through the window and broke in.
After entering the building, they threatened the nearby guards who quickly evacuated the premises.
By 9:34 they had begun smashing through the two cases holding the jewels (once belonging to Napoleon and his wife) with an angle grinder.
At 9:37 their activity triggered the Louvre’s alarm system, prompting the men to flee through the same window they came in from.
Photo of the truck used in the heist
Photo taken from People.com
This heist surprised both shocked and embarrassed the French Police. It was even called a “very painful” episode for France by Natalie Goulet, a member of the French Senate’s Finance Committee.
“We are disappointed and angry,” Goulet said, and it is, “difficult to understand how it happened so easily.”
Many around the world have wondered the same thing. How were four men able to steal 102 million dollars worth of jewels in just a matter of eight minutes (and seemingly with very little complication)? It’s especially shocking, given the prestige and assumed high security of The Louvre.
In a statement, France’s Culture Minister Rachita Dati defended the police’s actions, as well the security measures in place at The Louvre. Dati stated that the museum’s wider alarms went off and properly notified the necessary authorities.
Dati also noted that suspects seem to be “experienced criminals”. She cited the CCTV footage of the men being extremely calm during the raid, and having a well prepared plan to escape on scooters.
After the robbery, the four men were on the run for almost a month, with the last suspect being apprehended on November 28. In total, four men and two women have been arrested in connection to this crime.
Although these criminals have been brought to justice, the Crown Jewels still have yet to be recovered. French authorities believe that they may have been broken down into individual parts. If so, they will be extremely difficult to track down. Many remain hopeful that one day they will be returned to their home.
Ashtyn Miller, Reporter
Ashtyn Miller, Reporter
Ashtyn Miller is a reporter for The Courier. This is her first year on staff. She hopes to strengthen her writing skills and become more comfortable making her writing public.
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