‘Smash, grab, melt it down’: how material value likely motivated the Louvre heist

The GuardianMonday, October 20, 2025 at 3:25:24 PM
‘Smash, grab, melt it down’: how material value likely motivated the Louvre heist
The recent heist at the Louvre, where thieves brazenly stole eight pieces of priceless Napoleonic jewellery, highlights a troubling trend in art crime. Experts suggest that the motivation behind such audacious acts may be more about the material value of the items rather than the fame that comes with them. This incident raises concerns about security at cultural institutions and the potential for stolen art to disappear into the black market, making it harder for authorities to recover these treasures.
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