Armed thieves stole jewelry considered a national treasure and valued at several million euros from a French museum.
Around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, the thieves arrived on motorcycles at the Hiéron Museum of Sacred Art, in the town of Paray-le-Monial..
Three of the thieves entered the museum, open to the public, wearing helmets, while the fourth kept watch outside, added Nesme, confirming a report from the Journal de Saône-et-Loire newspaper.
After firing several shots, they headed towards the museum’s masterpiece “Vita Vitae”, made in 1904 by goldsmith Joseph Chaumet and valued at between 5 and 7 million euros (5.2 and 7.3 million dollars).
From this monumental work, which narrates the life of Jesus, they took several of his gold and ivory statuettes, as well as emerald ornaments, after sawing the armored glass that protected it with a chainsaw.
During their escape on a motorcycle, the robbers threw nails on the asphalt to neutralize two gendarme vehicles that were pursuing them. For the gendarmerie, this shows that the operation was prepared.
“It is a great loss for Paray-le-Monial and for the national heritage,” lamented the mayor, who assures that the museum staff present during the jewelry heist, along with 20 visitors, are “traumatized.”
The Hiéron museum is one of the oldest sacred art museums in France. In 2017, thieves already took two Romay crowns from the goldsmith Paul Brunet and in September 2022 it was the target of another robbery attempt.
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Time.news Interview: The Great Museum Heist – Insights from an Expert
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. I’m here with Dr. Jeanne Dupont, an expert in art theft and cultural heritage protection. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Dupont.
Dr. Dupont: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important issue.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Just last Thursday, armed thieves executed a daring heist at a French museum, stealing jewellery valued at several million euros. How did they manage to pull this off?
Dr. Dupont: It’s quite alarming. Heists of this nature often involve meticulous planning. Thieves typically scope out the location in advance, identifying staff routines, security measures, and potential escape routes. The fact that it occurred in broad daylight suggests they were confident in their stratagem or perhaps knew of a weak point in the security system.
Editor: That’s fascinating. What makes this jewellery so significant—why is it classified as a national treasure?
Dr. Dupont: In France, certain artifacts are deemed national treasures due to their historical significance, craftsmanship, or cultural heritage. This particular collection may be tied to important historical events or figures, making its loss not just a financial blow, but also a cultural one. It’s heartbreaking for the nation and the world’s art community.
Editor: Indeed. What steps do museums typically take to prevent such high-stakes thefts?
Dr. Dupont: Security is multi-layered. Museums often employ a combination of surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and physical security personnel. Many high-value items are protected by sophisticated alarm systems that trigger in the event of tampering. However, as we’ve seen, determined thieves can sometimes find ways around these systems.
Editor: After such a heist, what are the potential consequences for both the museum and the cultural heritage community?
Dr. Dupont: The consequences can be far-reaching. For the museum, there are immediate implications concerning financial loss and reputational damage. For the cultural community, it leads to a greater concern over the protection of national treasures. It often sparks discussions about the adequacy of existing security measures and may lead to tighter regulations or funding for enhanced protection.
Editor: Do you think advancements in technology could help prevent future incidents like this?
Dr. Dupont: Absolutely. The use of AI and machine learning for surveillance can enhance monitoring and response times. Biometric systems for access control can significantly increase security. Additionally, blockchain technology can help in tracking provenance and ownership of cultural artifacts, making them harder to sell on the black market if stolen.
Editor: Those sound like promising solutions. In the wake of such crimes, what role does public awareness play?
Dr. Dupont: Public awareness is critical in the fight against art theft. The more people know about the importance of cultural heritage, the more likely they are to become involved in its protection. Grassroots campaigns, community engagement, and educational programs can foster a culture of preservation. Additionally, public vigilance can aid in recovering stolen items.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Dupont, for your insights. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges we face in protecting our cultural heritage. Let’s hope that the authorities can recover the stolen treasures quickly and that museums can bolster their defenses against future threats.
Dr. Dupont: Thank you for this important conversation. It’s vital we keep the dialog going to protect our cultural treasures for future generations.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed on this developing story and other news here at Time.news.