A 24-year-old Chinese woman has been indicted by a Paris judge for allegedly stealing nearly $2 million worth of gold nuggets from the National Museum of Natural History, including rare items dating back to the 19th century California gold rush.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Tuesday that the suspect was charged with classified theft and criminal conspiracy following the Sept. 16 break-in. She was arrested two weeks later in Barcelona, Spain, while preparing to return to China.
According to prosecutors, a museum curator was alerted by a cleaning staff member to signs of forced entry and missing gold artifacts. Among the stolen items were an 11-pound nugget from Australia, a nugget gifted by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia in 1833, and several pieces linked to the California gold rush.
Investigators said the perpetrator used a circular saw to breach two doors and a blowtorch to access the mineralogy gallery’s display case. Tools including saws, a screwdriver, and gas canisters were recovered at the scene.
Surveillance footage showed a lone intruder entering the museum around 1 a.m. on the day of the heist.
The prosecutor’s office estimated the financial loss at $1.74 million, with an additional $58,000 in property damage. However, officials stressed that the historical and scientific value of the stolen items was “priceless.”
At the time of her arrest, the suspect allegedly attempted to dispose of about two pounds of melted gold, authorities said.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials seek to determine the whereabouts of the remaining stolen items and whether the suspect acted alone.
Under French law, organized theft carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
