French authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with last week’s audacious daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum, where crown jewels valued at €88 million ($102 million) were stolen.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrests Saturday evening, saying one man was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria. The second suspect was detained as he prepared to travel to Mali. Investigators may hold and question them for up to 96 hours under French law on serious organized crime.
Police said DNA evidence collected at the scene led to one suspect’s identification. Items left behind by the thieves—including gloves and a high-visibility vest—helped investigators trace their movements.
The heist, carried out by a four-person gang last Sunday morning, lasted just four minutes. Using a vehicle-mounted lift, the thieves scaled a first-floor balcony overlooking the River Seine to reach the Louvre’s famed Galerie d’Apollon. Two men used power tools to cut through a window and smashed display cases containing jewels, including a diamond tiara once worn by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The group fled on two scooters, waiting outside.
Authorities have acknowledged major lapses in museum security. Louvre director Laurence des Cars told French lawmakers that one in three rooms in the targeted area lacked CCTV coverage, and the only exterior camera facing the break-in point was misaligned. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti called the breach a “terrible image” for France and admitted that security protocols had failed.
Experts warn the stolen pieces—including the Marie-Louise necklace and several earrings—may already have been dismantled or melted down, making recovery unlikely. In response, the Louvre has transferred its remaining crown jewels to the Bank of France, where they will be secured in vaults 26 meters below ground.
Source: BBC