Mastermind Behind Louvre Heist ‘Thought We Could Have Taken More’
Poinews.com – Two individuals accused of masterminding a high-profile art heist at the Louvre have shared insights into their plans, revealing that the mastermind behind the Louvre heist thought they could have taken more. According to Le Monde, which has analyzed the suspects’ statements from June interrogation sessions, the thieves expressed their belief that the operation could have been even more successful. The incident, which took place at the iconic museum’s Galerie d’Apollon, has sparked discussions about the planning and execution of such a daring theft.
Planning the Heist
The suspects, Abdoulaye N. and Ghelamallah A., were reportedly hired by an unnamed organizer just days before the theft. They were promised compensation between €15,000 and €25,000 for their role in the scheme. The mastermind behind the Louvre heist thought the thieves were ideal candidates for the job, leveraging their knowledge of the museum’s layout and security systems. The pair were shown video footage of the gallery and instructed to break display cases, aiming to retrieve as much jewelry as possible.
“I knew I was going to rob the Louvre,” Abdoulaye N. admitted during his interview.
The plan, as described by the suspects, involved using a boom lift disguised as maintenance equipment to gain access to the museum at 09:30 local time. With the help of power tools, they pried open the cases, targeting high-value pieces such as tiaras and necklaces. Ghelamallah A., however, claimed he believed the target was a jewelry store in Paris rather than the Louvre. This misperception may have contributed to their initial hesitation, but the mastermind behind the Louvre heist thought they were ready to execute the plan with precision.
The Execution and Escape
The heist was carried out in a matter of minutes, with the thieves navigating the museum’s darkened halls and avoiding detection. Abdoulaye recalled that the security team was visible but not actively interfering, allowing them to collect their stolen goods quickly. After securing the loot, they fled the scene on motorcycles, managing to escape within eight minutes. The stolen collection, valued at approximately €88 million, included pieces once worn by French royalty, such as the Crown of Empress Eugénie, which was dropped during the escape but later recovered.
“He thought we could have taken more,” Abdoulaye N. said, reflecting on the mastermind behind the Louvre heist’s confidence in their abilities.
Despite the successful heist, the suspects revealed that the mastermind behind the Louvre heist was dissatisfied with the amount of jewelry they managed to steal. The organizer, who remains unidentified, allegedly expressed regret over the smaller haul. Both thieves insisted they were unaware of the mastermind’s identity, citing fears of retaliation. Ghelamallah mentioned receiving phone calls from unknown sources while in custody, urging him to remain silent about the operation.
The incident has raised questions about the mastermind behind the Louvre heist’s strategy and the level of preparation involved. With access to the museum’s security systems and detailed knowledge of its layout, the suspects believe the heist was meticulously planned. Their accounts highlight the mastermind’s belief that the theft could have been more extensive, possibly due to underestimating the museum’s response or overestimating their own capabilities. This insight underscores the potential scale of the crime and the mastermind’s confidence in their execution.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the case, with the suspects’ statements providing crucial clues. The mastermind behind the Louvre heist’s thought process and motivations remain a central focus. While the identities of the thieves and the organizer are still under scrutiny, the details of the heist have been confirmed by multiple sources. The stolen jewelry, now in the hands of the alleged thieves, is expected to be sold in the coming months, further emphasizing the mastermind’s belief that the operation was only the beginning of a larger scheme.
