Louvre heist: Police probe new video showing jewel thieves escaping

Investigators hunting the gang behind the Louvre jewel heist have found DNA samples and are aware of new video showing the thieves escaping, prosecutors say.

PARIS — Investigators hunting the gang behind the Louvre jewel heist have found traces of DNA samples in a helmet and gloves and are aware of new video showing the thieves escaping from the museum, prosecutors confirmed to NBC News on Thursday.

The Paris prosecutor's office said it was unclear if the DNA belonged to the suspects who made off with eight pieces of jewelry from the world's most-visited museum in Sunday’s daylight robbery that took just four minutes.

The group used power tools to shatter display cases, threatened guards and fled on scooters — leaving behind a trail of clues, including Empress Eugénie’s crown, which they dropped during the escape.

The thieves nonetheless made off with jewelry worth an estimated 88 million euros ($102.63 million), prosecutors have said. Around 100 investigators are now racing against time to find them before the thieves possibly melt the jewels down to sell.

The prosecutor's office confirmed to NBC News that it was aware of the video which emerged overnight showing the thieves escaping from the museum down a basket lift positioned on a truck. It was one of many elements of the investigation, the office said, declining further comment.