Masked Burglars Strike Lalique Museum in Paris
Masked burglars disabled security systems and stole jewellery from the Lalique museum in Paris, marking the second high-profile heist at a French museum in recent months. The incident occurred overnight, with the thieves targeting a display of works by renowned glassmaker and jeweller René Lalique.
The museum, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, will be closed for the forthcoming days to ensure it can be reopened with full security, according to a statement from the museum. The exact value of the stolen items has not been disclosed, but they are believed to be of significant historical and monetary worth.
Similarities to Louvre Heist
The burglary comes just months after a similar incident at the Louvre Museum, where masked thieves turned off security systems and stole jewellery from a temporary exhibition. In that case, the perpetrators managed to evade detection by cutting power to alarm systems before breaking into display cases.
Authorities are investigating whether the two crimes are connected. A police source said, "The modus operandi is strikingly similar, and we are looking into the possibility that the same group may be responsible." However, no official link has been confirmed.
Security Systems Disabled
According to museum officials, the burglars entered the building after hours and deliberately disabled the security systems, including motion sensors and cameras. They then used tools to break the glass of display cases and removed several pieces of jewellery and decorative objects.
"The thieves were highly organized and knew exactly what they were after," a museum spokesperson said. "They targeted a specific collection of Lalique jewellery, which is irreplaceable."
Museum Closure and Investigation
The Lalique museum will remain closed to the public while investigators comb the scene for forensic evidence. The museum is also working with security experts to upgrade its systems before reopening.
The Paris police department has launched a full investigation and is reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses. No arrests have been made so far.
René Lalique (1860-1945) was a pioneering French jeweller and glassmaker whose works are highly sought after by collectors. The museum houses a vast collection of his creations, including jewellery, vases, and decorative objects.
