France: Thief Rp1.7 Trillion Jewelry Museum Louvre Escapes 30 Minutes Before Police Arrive

JAKARTA - An investigation led by the French Ministry of Culture (Kemenbud) revealed that a gang of crown jewelry thieves at the Louvre Museum fled just 30 seconds from the police arrival.

The findings were obtained on Wednesday. The results of the investigation stated that only one of the two security cameras served near the break-in point of the Louvre Museum on Sunday, October 19 morning.

Officers at the security post also do not have enough screens to monitor images in real-time.

There is a possibility of miscoordination so that the police's deployment to the point was not right before the museum alarm sounded.

"This highlights the failure of the entire museum, as well as its supervisory authority, to address security issues," said Head of the Senate Culture Commission Laurent Lafon, quoted by AFP.

Head of investigation of the case, Noel Corlindin told senators that the robbers had left just 30 seconds before police and private security officers arrived.

"Approximately 30 seconds, security officers or police officers in the car can prevent thieves from escaping," said Corlind.

He stated that modern cameras, more resistant glass, or better coordination could prevent the loss of jewelry which is estimated to be worth 102 million US dollars or Rp1.7 trillion.

The risk of security is in the spotlight following the breach of the Louvre Museum in Paris which led to the loss of jewelry in the collection of historical items. One of them is related to several reports assigned by Louvre management, including a 2019 audit by jewelry company Van Cleef & Arpels.

The audit identified the balcony used by thieves as a weak point that can be reached with an extended ladder.

Corlind menegaskan bahwa kepala Louvre saat ini, harus des Cars, tidak mengetahui audit yang dilakukan oleh presidennya.

The recommendations were not followed up and should have prevented this robbery, added Corin.