Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of precious crown jewels from Paris's Louvre museum. The arrests follow a reported incident last Sunday where four individuals gained entry to the museum during operating hours, using power tools and a mechanical lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon. France's justice minister has since stated that security protocols "failed," leaving the country with a "terrible image."
Arrests and Investigation
Two suspects were arrested on Saturday evening. Reports indicate the suspects are known to police for previous burglaries. According to Le Parisien newspaper, the individuals are from the Parisian suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, and one was reportedly preparing to board a flight from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Specialist police have taken on the case, with the authority to question the suspects for up to 96 hours.
Details of the Theft
The theft reportedly occurred last Sunday at approximately 09:30 (06:30 GMT), shortly after the museum opened to visitors. Four thieves reportedly arrived with a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine. Pictures from the scene showed a ladder leading up to a first-floor window.
Two of the thieves reportedly gained entry by cutting through the window with power tools. They then threatened the guards, leading to the evacuation of the premises, and cut through the glass of two display cases containing jewels. French police stated the thieves were inside for four minutes, making their escape on two scooters waiting outside at 09:38.
Security and Aftermath
A preliminary report has revealed that one in three rooms in the area of the museum raided had no CCTV cameras, according to French media. Following the incident, officials announced that security measures have been tightened around France's cultural institutions. The Louvre is recognized as the world's most-visited museum.