A week after the daring theft of eight French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, the investigation is moving forward cautiously. Two suspects, arrested on Saturday night, remain in custody as the jewels, valued at an estimated €88 million, are still missing.
The men, both in their thirties and from Seine-Saint-Denis, were detained over the weekend as part of the investigation into the high-profile robbery. Police sources say the two are already known to law enforcement for previous thefts and are suspected of taking part in the team that carried out the bold operation at the museum.
The suspects were arrested separately. One was taken into custody at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport as he prepared to board a flight to Algeria. The other was arrested in Aubervilliers while reportedly on his way to Mali. They are being held on charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy and can be detained for up to 96 hours.
The investigation, led by the Anti-Gang Brigade and the Central Office for the Fight Against Trafficking in Cultural Property, continues as police work to identify two other members of the team. Investigators are also examining whether someone inside the museum may have helped facilitate the theft.
In a statement, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests while expressing regret over their early disclosure, saying that revealing the detentions could only harm the work of the hundred investigators involved. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the “tireless efforts” of the law enforcement officers handling this extraordinary case.
A Heist Carried Out with Impressive Precision
On October 19, around 9:30 a.m., a team of four men carried out a carefully planned operation that seemed straight out of a movie. Using a lift truck, two of them reached the Apollo Gallery, breaking glass and display cases with angle grinders before seizing the royal jewels.
The entire heist took less than eight minutes. The thieves then fled on two high-performance scooters, leaving behind a number of items, including gloves, a helmet, angle grinders, a blowtorch, a safety vest, and a walkie-talkie.
According to the prosecutors, these objects allowed investigators to collect more than 150 DNA and fingerprint samples. One of the few items recovered was the crown of Empress Eugénie, which was dropped during the getaway and damaged. It is set to be restored.
Evidence Found, but the Jewels Are Still Missing
Thanks to surveillance footage from the capital and surrounding regions, including images from highways, banks, and businesses, investigators have been able to reconstruct part of the thieves’ route.
However, no trace of the jewels has yet been found. Concern is growing: the precious stones could have been removed from their settings and sold separately, while the gold mounts may have been melted down.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told a French media outlet that thieves are usually caught, but he is still worried about the jewels.
The Louvre Under Pressure
This heist, one of the most daring in recent history, has exposed security gaps at the world’s most visited museum. Culture Minister Rachida Dati said she plans to implement concrete measures to reinforce security at the Louvre and its surroundings.
The museum, still under close watch, is cooperating closely with the authorities.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Gang Brigade continues its work to identify the two remaining members of the team. The goal is to track down the mastermind behind the operation and recover the lost French crown jewels before they disappear forever.
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