“We are not police”: the Louvre security guard explained why he did not intervene in the robbery

Former jewelry store robber Larry Lawtonwho served 12 years for kidnappings worth millions, gave a tough but substantive commentary on the recent cinematic theft at the Louvre.

Louvre security guard accused of robbery: “I saw the criminals break the glass. We are not police.” pic.twitter.com/WYRIbTq8xz

— Athens News (@russianathens) October 23, 2025

How it all happened

On Sunday night, a group of intruders used a ladder truck to enter the museum, cut the glass and get to the display cases in Apollo Galleryfrom where she took away eight expensive jewelry. Apparently, there was no neglect of safety measures, but the organization of actions raises questions.

Larry Lawton’s opinion

“I would divide the spoils: each person would have two items, one to keep, the other to saw and sell. I would leave another one for bargaining in case of arrest. Everything looks amateurish, or they had an inside help,” he said in an interview with CBS News.

Lawton points to signs of a poorly planned operation: the criminals chose an entry point without checking the type of security glass, and apparently did not have a pre-prepared distribution channel. “If I had done this, everything would have been different,” the former robber summed up dryly.

Arthur Brand: a week to return everything

Arthur Brandthe famous “art detective,” reminds us: the police have approximately seven daysto find stolen goods. “These things are too famous to be sold on the legal market. Most likely, the metal will be melted, the stones will be dismantled and cut. If you catch them in hot pursuit, there is a chance. Then – almost none,” he noted.

Why the chances are low (and this is not a conspiracy theory)

• Jewelry is easy to “disassemble”: the metal is melted down, the stones are sawn and sold separately.
• There is almost no “black” market for known items, so they are either destroyed as whole objects or hidden for years.
• The presence of an internal accomplice simplifies access and explains the choice of entry point.

Conclusion

The positions of the former criminal and restitution professionals agree: speed is the only chance to return the jewelry in its original form. If law enforcement officers do not make it in time, the “cinematic” robbery will end prosaically – with molten gold and a scattering of anonymous stones.