Chinese Woman Charged Over Gold Theft at Paris Natural History Museum

A Chinese woman has been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of gold from the Natural History Museum in Paris, marking one of several high-profile break-ins targeting French cultural institutions in recent months, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Tuesday.

The heist, which the museum’s director described at the time as the work of an “extremely professional team,” occurred on 16 September, just over a month prior to a daring jewellery theft at the world-renowned Louvre Museum on Sunday.

Arrest and Charges

Investigators revealed that the suspect had left France on the day of the break-in and was preparing to return to China. At the time of her arrest, she was reportedly attempting to dispose of nearly one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of melted gold, although further details were not disclosed.

The theft was discovered when a cleaner reported debris at the museum, prompting a curator to investigate. The stolen items included:

In total, nearly six kilograms of native gold were stolen, with damages estimated at 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million). Prosecutor Beccuau emphasised that the historical and scientific value of the pieces is “priceless”. Native gold is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, found in an unrefined form.

Investigators determined that the thieves used sophisticated tools to execute the robbery:

Surveillance footage captured a lone intruder entering the museum shortly after 1:00 am and leaving around 4:00 am, according to Beccuau. The investigation remains ongoing.

French authorities continue to search for the perpetrators behind the Louvre Museum heist, which saw priceless royal jewels stolen in a daylight robbery on Sunday. The incident has reignited debate over security standards in France’s museums, highlighting vulnerabilities in the protection of the nation’s cultural treasures.