As French police, government officials and Louvre executives continue to puzzle over how thieves brazenly stole precious jewels in broad daylight, a German company is seizing the opportunity to seize its 15 minutes of fame.
Becker, the manufacturer of the furniture elevator believed to have been used in the daring heist, took to social media to show that there is no such thing as bad publicity.
In a tongue-in-cheek Instagram post, the company, based in Verne, northwestern Germany, posted an image of the scene after the incident, with the caption: Böcker Agilo transports treasures weighing up to 400 kg at a speed of 42 meters per minute. It is quiet thanks to its 230 V electric motor. ”
Unidentified thieves, who are still at large, broke into the world-famous Paris Museum in broad daylight on Sunday morning and stole more than $100 million in historic jewelry, after the museum was already open to visitors. Video footage appears to show they entered in a truck with an elevator and then gained entry through a second-floor balcony.
Alexander Becker, managing director and third-generation owner of the German company, told CNN in a statement that he and his wife were “shocked” when they first saw the news on Sunday and realized “our elevator had been misused.”
Later, when it became clear that no one was hurt, the entrepreneurial spirit of the owners took hold.
“Once the initial shock wore off, dark humor took over,” he said in a statement. “We joked around a bit, had some fun, and came up with some initial slogans.”
Feedback on the company’s post published Monday has been “overwhelming” and mostly positive, Becker said.
In an interview with Reuters, he said: “Fortunately, most people understand the humor and know that we are not involved in robbery, so we are very happy with the response so far.”
Louvre Director Laurence de Cal told a French Senate committee hearing Wednesday that the museum’s aging camera system does not cover the Apollo Museum’s east balcony, where the robbers used an angle grinder to gain entry.
De Kaal said at the hearing that the “totally outdated and even non-existent technological infrastructure” to monitor the country’s most precious treasures was a “terrible observation” for the world’s largest museum. She said she offered her resignation to Culture Minister Rashida Dati after the robbery, but was rejected.
Becker said the Agilo is primarily used for transporting heavy goods during construction and demolition, and is not intended to transport people.
Becker’s statement said the particular model used in the robbery was sold to a customer in the Paris metropolitan area, who rented it. But apparently it was stolen from its owner during a demonstration for potential customers.
“It appears the company letters have been removed and the license plate replaced,” he added.
