A probe into the Louvre crown jewel heist reveals thieves fled with 30 seconds to spare due to security failures, including faulty cameras and poor coordination.
PARIS: The thieves who stole priceless crown jewels from the Louvre in October escaped with just 30 seconds to spare due to avoidable security failures.
A damning investigation ordered by the French culture ministry revealed the findings on Wednesday.
The probe stated that only one of two security cameras was working near the break-in point on the morning of Sunday, October 19.
Agents in the security headquarters also did not have enough screens to monitor images in real-time.
A lack of coordination meant police were initially sent to the wrong location once the alarm was raised.
“It highlights an overall failure of the museum, as well as its supervisory authority, to address security issues,” said the head of the Senate’s Culture Commission, Laurent Lafon.
Investigation head Noel Corbin told senators the robbers left only 30 seconds before police and private security arrived.
“Give or take 30 seconds, the Securitas guards or the police officers in a car could have prevented the thieves from escaping,” Corbin said.
He stated that modern cameras, more resistant glass, or better coordination could have prevented the loss of the jewels, valued at an estimated USD 102 million.
Security risks were highlighted in several reports commissioned by Louvre management, including a 2019 audit by jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels.
That audit identified the balcony used by the thieves as a weak point reachable by an extendable ladder.
Corbin confirmed that current Louvre boss Laurence des Cars was unaware of the audit carried out by her predecessor.
“The recommendations were not acted on and they would have enabled us to avoid this robbery,” Corbin added.
Police believe they have arrested all four thieves, who escaped on motorbikes after the 10-minute heist in the Apollo Gallery.
The revelations are likely to increase pressure on des Cars, who was already facing calls to resign.
