Occasionally, journalists are tasked with stories sufficiently unique to prompt even seasoned reporters to raise an eyebrow. The incident this past Sunday at the Louvre in Paris undoubtedly stands as one such example.
Four individuals, employing a cherry picker truck to ascend the side of the structure, managed to breach a second-floor window, gather up to $100 million worth of French crown jewelry, and depart with the loot on motor scooters in under 10 minutes. It was a scenario straight from the movies—think “Pink Panther” or similar capers.
Having previously resided in Paris, I’ve covered numerous front-page stories both during and after my time there, ranging from the demise of to various fatal terrorist attacks, and the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Now, this remarkable event.
Fortunately, I was accompanied by an excellent team: professional cameraman and producer John Templeton, Simon Owen, a veteran Paris producer since the 1990s, Cicely Medintzeff, and a convenient large Mercedes van with a driver.
The trip did not commence smoothly, with a few production bags misplaced on the flight from London to Paris. However, cameraman John improvised successfully. While conversing with people at the airport, including a pleasant American couple from Washington state, it was clear the robbery was already the primary topic of conversation.
Our next hurdle was identifying a suitable location for our live broadcasts. Arriving after nightfall, the road adjacent to the museum was blocked by police on one side, necessitating our reverse entry from the opposite direction. We eventually found a spot positioned in front of the museum’s iconic pyramid-shaped entrance. This location offers one of the finest backdrops, day or night, as we discussed a tragic crime.
The following morning, we proceeded directly to the crime scene—the museum’s rear. We observed the narrow pavement where the thieves had parked their truck, the flimsy window they had cut through, and a wooden board now covering the opening. Aside from a parked police vehicle, even at that hour, there was minimal security present. There was no museum video footage of the break-in, indicating the perpetrators had bypassed the alarms.
We were not the sole onlookers. A small crowd, which included American tourists, gazed upward in bewilderment. “It looks incredibly easy,” one person remarked to us. “Weird,” another sighed.
However, significant crowds had returned to the museum’s front. Despite its closure that day (it had been shut following the robbery), throngs of people were there, many curious about the crime. Many more were simply taking typical Instagram-style selfies with the Louvre.
With our television equipment spread across the pavement for live shots, we ourselves became another point of interest. “Where did it occur?” one person inquired. “When will the museum reopen?” asked another. An additional American tourist approached and explained how he and his wife had visited the museum the day before the robbery and had already concluded that the security was appalling.
As further details of the crime came to light, the narrative only grew more bizarre. This included how the just 25 miles outside Paris. It also covered how they were in such a rush that they left behind a crown adorned with over 1,300 diamonds (though they did secure eight other pieces). And how Police—making up for lost time—collected evidence, including a construction-style vest, a glove, a license plate, and video footage of the suspects making their getaway on a highway just outside Paris.
And the French engaged in another customary practice: finger-pointing and blame-casting. President already contends with numerous political challenges these days. A high-profile catastrophe was precisely what he did not need. He vowed that the culprits would be apprehended. Commendably, the director of the museum offered her resignation (which was subsequently declined) but underwent a rigorous questioning by the French Senate.
All of this, as we noted, represented a race against time for a team of 100 French police investigators—one of the largest manhunts in French history—to capture the thieves before they had an opportunity to dismantle the jewelry, re-cut the gems, and melt down the gold and silver for resale. This formed a component of a larger .
Beyond hearing my on-air colleagues express their astonishment regarding the crime, we also endured some playful teasing about the “arduous” assignment of being sent to Paris. And, truly, it was wonderful to see my former hometown again; Paris is breathtaking. Nevertheless, I must also point out that, aside from one excellent brasserie wrap dinner, the trip largely involved squeezing onto café chairs to write scripts and utilize facilities—plus French-style Uber Eats.
Thus, we now await the outcome of this incredible French crime caper. Most people we encountered were quite confident that the bandits would be caught and the museum’s security would be upgraded. However, they harbored doubts that the priceless jewelry—described as France’s “soul”—would ever be recovered. The Louvre has since reopened. Let us merely hope this film-esque story culminates in a happy ending.