Four suspects sought after daring museum jewel theft, prosecutor says
Assalamu alaikum - Paris authorities are searching for four men after a bold theft at a famous museum on Sunday, where eight priceless historic pieces of jewellery were taken, the city’s chief prosecutor said. According to prosecutor Laure Beccuau speaking to French TV, the group acted as a “hit team” targeting the Apollo Gallery, which houses some of France’s crown jewels. They reportedly hid their faces with masks and fled on high-powered scooters.
Beccuau said the thieves threatened museum guards with angle grinders they used to cut into the glass cases protecting the jewels. The gang also brought a truck with an extendable moving ladder to the side of the museum and broke a window to gain entry.
The museum’s alarms were reportedly working at the time, but investigators are trying to determine whether the guards heard them and whether an alarm sounded in the gallery where the theft happened. The prosecutor said the main theory is that the heist was carried out on behalf of a criminal organisation. “Organised criminal groups often act either to fill a specific order or to obtain gems for money-laundering,” she said.
Around 60 investigators are working on the high-profile case, and a yellow safety vest used by one of the suspects has already been recovered. Beccuau expressed confidence that the stolen jewellery will be recovered in the coming days.
May Allah guide the investigators and return what was taken to its rightful place. Wa alaikum assalam.
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