Ongoing Investigation into Louvre Jewel Heist Leads to New Arrests
Four additional individuals have been apprehended as part of the ongoing investigation into the theft of valuable jewellery from the Louvre Museum last month. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed these arrests, which took place on Tuesday.
Details of Recent Apprehensions
The arrested individuals include two men, aged 38 and 39, and two women, aged 31 and 40, all of whom reside in the Paris region. According to French media reports, one of the newly apprehended men is believed by investigators to be the fourth member of a four-person group suspected of carrying out the daytime heist. The other three alleged perpetrators had previously been arrested and charged. Police are authorized to question the new suspects for a period of up to 96 hours.
Prior Charges and Suspects
Prior to these latest arrests, four individuals—three men and one woman, also from the Paris region—had already been charged in connection with the theft. Earlier this month, a 38-year-old woman was charged with complicity in organised theft and criminal conspiracy. Separately, a 37-year-old man was charged with theft and criminal conspiracy. These two suspects, whose identities have not been publicly disclosed, have denied any involvement. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau previously informed the French news agency Franceinfo that the two charged individuals were in a relationship and had children together.
In October, two men were charged with theft and criminal conspiracy after officials stated they had "partially recognized" their involvement in the heist.
The Heist Event
The theft occurred on October 19. A group of four men allegedly used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony located near the River Seine. The individuals reportedly used a disc cutter to open display cases housing the jewellery. The perpetrators were inside the museum for four minutes, making their escape on two scooters waiting outside at 09:38, before transitioning to cars.
Stolen Items and Valuation
The stolen jewels, which include eight items, are collectively valued at €88 million (£76 million; $102 million) and have not yet been recovered. Among the items taken were an emerald-and-diamond necklace given by Napoleon I to his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise, and a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. A crown was reportedly dropped during the escape.
Security Response and Measures
Prosecutor Beccuau had previously described the heist as being executed by individuals she characterized as "petty criminals" rather than "organised crime professionals." Following the incident, the Louvre's director disclosed that the only security camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was oriented away from the balcony used by the thieves for entry. Laurence des Cars, the president of the Louvre, acknowledged the museum's security failures but stated that security had not been overlooked, citing her consistent warnings since 2021 regarding the necessity for increased investment.
In the aftermath of the theft, security measures across France's cultural institutions have been enhanced. The Louvre Museum has since transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France for safekeeping.