The Global Story The Louvre daytime heist that shocked the world
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Oct 21, 2025 
Erin Thompson, a Professor of Art Crime at City University of New York, dives into the audacious Louvre heist where thieves stole priceless crown jewels in just four minutes. She explains the criminals' daring tactics, including using a cherry picker and power tools. Erin discusses the complexities of valuing stolen art, how thieves might profit, and the societal impact of such heists. She reflects on public fascination with art theft and shares historical anecdotes, including the famous Mona Lisa theft, making it clear that art crime is both a thrilling and troubling subject.
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Bold Daytime Break-In At The Louvre
- Thieves used a cherry picker and wore high-visibility vests to enter the Louvre and cut through a fortified window with an angle grinder.
- They spent about four minutes inside, smashed display cases, grabbed jewels, and escaped on motorbikes, leaving a helmet behind.
Multiple Ways To Value Stolen Jewels
- Valuing stolen items depends on raw materials, historical worth, and black-market price, which often differ sharply.
- Thieves who melt or dismantle pieces usually get far less than the artifacts' cultural value.
Museums Trade Security For Visitor Access
- Museums balance visitor experience against security and often accept risks to allow close public access to priceless works.
- That openness makes museums uniquely vulnerable compared with other high-value environments.