It was 9:34 a.m. on October 19 when two burglars broke into the Apollo gallery of the Louvre. The video surveillance images broadcast last Sunday on France TV and TF1 reveal an unexpected scene, marked by a certain amateurism on the part of the criminals and hesitation on the action to be taken on the part of the guards.
A first robber enters the gallery after breaking the window. Borrowed access already appeared in 2018 in a report on “the greatest points of vulnerability” of the Louvre. He wears a yellow vest and a balaclava. The Louvre agents present leave hastily. A few seconds later, a second criminal, motorcycle helmet on his head and grinder in hand, joined his accomplice. Both men know precisely what they are aiming for. They head directly towards the windows, in the center of the gallery.
Contrary to what had been indicated, there were no visitors in the room and the guards therefore did not have to “keep visitors safe”. On the other hand, a first guard returns followed by a second and later by a third who appears to be a woman. One of the guards takes a queue pole with the intention of approaching the criminals and putting them to flight. He hesitates (we understand) and ultimately does not intervene and contemplates the scene with his colleagues.
Louvre heist, video surveillance image from the museum.
© TF1 / Sept à Huit
The two robbers pay them no attention; they attack the windows that still resist them. The one wearing a yellow vest uses the grinder then elbows the window to make it give way. The scene borders on the absurd when in the background, visitors circulate in the corridor. Finally, he manages to sneak his hand to grab the jewelry. We see him grab several jewels including one of the crowns. He appears to slip his loot into his pockets or a bag.
In front of the other window, just behind, his accomplice, grinder on the ground now, also punch him on the glass. The robber in the yellow vest joins him just as the window gives way and they both begin to grab the jewelry.
The first robber then rushes towards the exit. In his race, he drops two objects visible in the image, which he takes care to pick up before continuing. His accomplice follows him. Both return to the window through which they entered, one of which escapes head first. The heist lasted a total of 3 minutes 52 minutes.
