World-famous Louvre museum in Paris closed after robbery

Several people disguised as construction workers broke into the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, cracking open display cases and stealing jewelry that once belonged to the Emperor Napoleon and his wife, officials said.

At least nine pieces of jewelry of “inestimable heritage and historical value” were taken in the brazen heist before the thieves made their getaway on motorcycles, two ministers said.

The suspects “broke open” a window and entered the museum’s Apollo Gallery, which houses the French crown jewels, among other artifacts, at about 9:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, the museum said in a statement. The details of the pieces that were taken during the brazen robbery had not yet been made public.

“Investigations have begun, and a precise list of the stolen items is underway,” the museum said in a statement.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez in an interview on local radio said the value of the items would be “inestimable.”

At least three suspects appeared to have been involved, Nunez said.

He said they appeared to have used a construction ladder to enter the building.

The alleged robbery took about seven minutes, he said.

The thieves were wearing construction worker uniforms and hoods over their heads, said an investigator from the Banditry Repression Brigade, a special police unit of the French Ministry of the Interior that investigates robberies and art theft.

The investigators said that it appears two of the thieves entered the Apollo Gallery and one stayed outside. He said the thieves used small chainsaws to crack open cases displaying the jewelry.

A notification posted on the museum’s website shortly afterward said, “The Louvre Museum will remain closed today for exceptional reasons. We thank you for your understanding.”

The decision to close the museum was made jointly by its management, the police and the Ministry of the Interior, museum officials said in a statement. The doors were closed as “a security measure and to preserve traces and evidence for the investigation,” the statement said.

Kaci Benedetti, who was visiting Paris from the United States, told ABC News she was standing in line to enter the museum on Sunday when a commotion began. Police were running along the courtyard where Benedetti and her family were waiting, she said.

She watched as the officers attempted to enter the building through a side door, but “could not because they were locked,” she said.

“We could see people inside running and some were banging on the glass doors to get out, but could not because they were locked,” Benedetti said. “Then police and military police arrived. After about an hour they announced the Louvre was closed for today.”

The news of the robbery came first from French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, who said on social media, “A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum.”

Dati added, “No injuries to report. I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations underway.”

- Agencies