Chinese Woman Charged with Gold Theft from Paris Museum

A Chinese woman has been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of gold from the Natural History Museum in Paris, according to local authorities. The incident, which occurred on September 16, 2023, is part of a troubling trend of high-profile break-ins targeting French cultural institutions.

The suspect, a 24-year-old woman, was apprehended in Barcelona on September 30. Following her arrest, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that she was extradited to France on October 13 and charged with theft and criminal conspiracy. She has since been placed in provisional detention. Authorities revealed that she fled France on the same day as the theft, but was caught attempting to dispose of nearly 1 kg of melted gold pieces at the time of her arrest.

Investigative efforts began after a cleaner at the museum reported debris, leading curators to discover that several gold nuggets had been stolen. Among the missing items were historical nuggets from Bolivia, a gift from Tsar Nicholas I of Russia in 1833, and pieces dating back to the California gold rush. Notably, a 5 kg nugget from Australia, discovered in 1990, was also taken. In total, nearly 6 kg of native gold was stolen, with damages estimated at 1.5 million euros (approximately US$1.7 million). Beccuau emphasized the historical and scientific value of these items as “priceless.”

The perpetrators demonstrated remarkable skill, using a grinder to cut through two museum doors and employing a blowtorch to breach a display case. Investigators recovered tools including a blowtorch, grinder, screwdriver, gas cylinders, and saws near the scene. Surveillance footage revealed a lone intruder entering the museum shortly after 1 AM and exiting around 4 AM, indicating a well-planned operation.

The ongoing investigation has drawn attention to security measures in France’s museums, particularly following an audacious jewelry heist at the renowned Louvre Museum that occurred just days later. This incident has reignited discussions regarding the adequacy of protection for France’s cultural heritage.

As the investigation continues, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to recover the stolen items and apprehend any additional suspects involved in these recent crimes.