Daring break-in at iconic museum
Latest News – A team of experienced burglars broke into Paris’s Natural History Museum on Tuesday morning and made off with valuable fragments of native gold worth approximately €600,000 ($700,000). The burglary occurred at the museum’s geology and mineralogy exhibition in the 5th district.
The thieves employed heavy machinery such as an angle grinder and a blowtorch to gain entry. They proceeded straight to the gold collection, indicating they had been well prepared for the operation. Emmanuel Skoulios, who is the museum director, said the thieves knew precisely where to go and had the appropriate gear.
The pieces that were stolen are not just valuable because of the gold content, but also because of their cultural and scientific significance. They included some pieces from famous mines, although it has not been established if the museum’s most acclaimed specimen—a gold and quartz specimen from California—had been stolen.
Cyberattack weakened security
Police suspect the robbers exploited a cyberattack which had struck the museum back in July. The attack had incapacitated the alarm and cameras, making the museum vulnerable to threats.
The cyberattack also caused disruptions in research and the cancellation of future shows. The museum had also declined to pay the ransom required by hackers, as per government regulations. Authorities now believe the thieves were aware of such issues and targeted the museum at the appropriate time.
Part of a bigger crime wave
This robbery adds to a string of thefts at museums across France in the past year. Earlier this month, the Adrien Dubouché National Museum in Limoges lost Chinese porcelain and a vase worth about €6.5 million.
Last year in November, burglars equipped with axes raided the Cognacq-Jay Museum in Paris and stole 18th-century snuffboxes worth €1 million. One day later, weapons-wielding robbers targeted the Hiéron Museum and made off with jewelry to the tune of several million euros.
Police suspect that these robberies are connected and could be committed under orders from private collectors. Local leaders have already cautioned that priceless art pieces are being stolen on order.
FAQs
1. How much gold was stolen?
The stolen gold is valued at around €600,000 ($700,000).
2. How did the burglars enter?
They employed heavy equipment such as an angle grinder and a blowtorch.
3. Why was the museum at risk?
Its alarm and security systems were compromised by a July cyberattack.
4. Is this part of a pattern?
Yes, France has had a number of large museum heists in recent months.
5. What do authorities think about these thefts?
They believe that there are private collectors commissioning the crimes.
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