Two masked thieves executed a daring heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris on October 19, stealing valuable artifacts in broad daylight. The museum had just opened to a large crowd when the thieves, armed with angle grinders, triggered a security alarm inside the gallery. They parked a stolen moving truck outside the Apollo Gallery, using traffic cones to disguise their actions as authorized repairs.

The thieves ascended to the second floor using an electric ladder, forcing open a window to gain access to the gallery that houses France's crown jewels. Remarkably, their actions went unnoticed by the only security camera in the area, which was facing away from their entry point. However, they did set off an alarm that alerted a staff member, but by the time the warning reached the command center, the thieves were already inside the gallery.

Once inside, the criminals used disc cutters to break open two display cases containing the crown jewels. They managed to steal eight artifacts before escaping through the same window and fleeing on scooters driven by two accomplices. In their rush, they left behind a stolen crown and other equipment, leaving gallery staff and visitors in shock.

Less than two weeks after the heist, three members of the four-man gang were arrested. Authorities believe two of the suspects were directly involved in the theft, while the third was one of the accomplices waiting outside. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau described the crime as atypical for organized crime, stating, "This is not quite everyday delinquency … but it is a type of delinquency that we do not generally associate with the upper echelons of organized crime."

Initially, experts thought the heist was executed by highly skilled criminals due to its speed and apparent planning. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati remarked, "They knew exactly where they were going. It looks like something very organized and very professional."

The theft has drawn comparisons to other high-profile jewelry heists, including a 2019 incident in Dresden, Germany, where thieves stole 21 pieces of 18th-century jewelry. The daylight robbery at the Louvre sparked significant attention on social media, with many noting the thieves' choice of timing and method.

Despite the initial perception of a well-planned operation, investigators have since uncovered evidence suggesting the thieves were amateurs. They left behind tools, including a glove and a helmet, as well as a significant amount of forensic evidence. Police have collected 189 pieces of evidence and processed 150 forensic samples, leading to the identification of three suspects whose DNA matched samples found at the scene.

Among the stolen items were an emerald and diamond necklace given to Marie Louise by Napoleon I, and a tiara and necklace from the sapphire set belonging to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense. The total estimated value of the stolen items exceeds 88 million euros ($154 million). Notably, Empress Eugenie's crown, made of gold and adorned with 1,300 diamonds, was found outside the museum shortly after the heist, damaged but repairable.

The investigation has revealed that one suspect attempted to set fire to the moving truck before fleeing but was stopped by a museum employee. The suspects were eventually apprehended, with the first arrest occurring at Charles de Gaulle airport as one man attempted to board a flight to Algeria. The other two suspects were arrested in their homes in a low-income suburb of Paris.

As the investigation continues, the Louvre's security measures are under scrutiny, and the case highlights the complexities of modern thefts in high-profile locations. The suspects face charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy, with some admitting minimal involvement in the crime. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the full details of the heist and the identities of all involved.