“The robbers had inside information”: Israeli firm probes Louvre heist

French authorities have enlisted the assistance of CGI Group, an Israeli security and intelligence firm, following the audacious robbery of crown jewels from the Louvre earlier this week. Zvika Nave, founder and CEO of CGI, said the firm was contacted several hours after the theft to support the investigation.

“Almost seven years ago there was a famous robbery in Dresden where the CGI Group played a key role in solving it and bringing the criminals to justice,” Nave told Israeli radio station Kan Reshet B. Drawing on that experience, CGI immediately mobilized its European branch to gather information on the Paris heist.

The scene of the Louvre heist.

The theft unfolded with surprising precision. On Sunday morning, four masked men climbed a crane to access the upper floor of the Galerie d’Apollon, where France’s royal collection is displayed. They broke a window, threatened security guards with angle grinders, seized nine objects, and fled on motorcycles through central Paris. Among the stolen items was a crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, which was recovered after being dropped during the escape. Notably, the thieves bypassed the Regent diamond, one of the world’s most famous gems, valued at more than $60 million, leaving investigators puzzled about their priorities.

Nave described the Louvre robbery as a highly organized operation that relied on inside knowledge. “I’m almost positive that the robbers didn’t leave any fingerprints. They didn’t commit this job by coincidence. They had inside information and cooperation from the inside,” he said.

CGI’s methodology combines digital intelligence with information from staff who spend much of their time at the museum. “There are plenty of people who essentially live in the Louvre - security guards, tourist guides - and they all see and hear many things. We collect all that information and map it out,” Nave explained.

While French authorities have not publicly implicated any employees, Nave characterized the theft as a significant security lapse. “This is an embarrassing robbery for the Louvre’s security. It is a colossal failure,” he said.

The Louvre heist is part of a broader trend of increasingly professionalized art thefts. French investigators have noted that the speed and scale of the operation point to a network capable of careful planning, possibly with links to organized crime. The thieves left behind a yellow reflective vest and attempted to destroy the crane as they fled, but investigators believe these measures were intended to hinder immediate pursuit rather than cover their tracks.

Despite the setbacks, Nave said his team is optimistic. “We have a lead,” he noted, declining to provide details. He emphasized that high-value museum robberies rarely occur without preparation and inside knowledge.