Five Arrested in High-Stakes Louvre Robbery: A Closer Look at the Heist

Five new suspects have been arrested in connection with the daring robbery at the Louvre in Paris, where thieves made off with crown jewels valued at approximately €88 million. According to the city's public prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, these arrests were made on Wednesday night across Paris and the neighboring Seine-Saint-Denis department. However, despite these developments, the stolen gems remain missing. In an interview with RTL radio, Beccuau stated that one of the detained individuals had been a prime target for investigators, with DNA evidence linking him to the robbery. She explained that the other four suspects could provide critical information regarding how the audacious heist was executed. During a media conference held the previous evening, Beccuau disclosed that two men arrested on Saturday night had partially confessed to their involvement and would face charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy, which could lead to significant prison sentences. The brazen robbery occurred on October 19 around 9:30 AM when a four-man gang arrived at the world's most visited museum in a stolen furniture removal truck. They utilized an extending ladder and lift to access the ornate first-floor Apollo gallery. Disguised in high-visibility vests to mimic maintenance workers, the thieves smashed an unsecured window and utilized disc cutters to open two glass display cases. The entire operation, from entry to escape, lasted less than seven minutes, with the intruders spending just under four minutes inside the gallery. Significantly, the robbers left behind a diamond and emerald-studded crown but managed to flee with eight other lavishly gem-encrusted items. Among the stolen pieces were an emerald and diamond necklace originally belonging to Napoleon I's second wife, Marie Louise, and a diadem adorned with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds that was once owned by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The prosecutor highlighted that the two suspects arrested on Saturday were believed to have directly entered the Apollo gallery. Their DNA was discovered on a display case and a scooter that was utilized during their getaway. One of these suspects, a 34-year-old Algerian national, had been living in France since 2010 and was known to law enforcement for prior road traffic offenses. The second suspect, aged 39, was a native of Aubervilliers in the Paris suburb and had a criminal history involving burglary. Beccuau mentioned that authorities believe the gang may have consisted of more than four members, although currently, there is no evidence to suggest that they received assistance from someone within the museum itself. As the investigation continues, the hunt for the missing jewels and any additional accomplices remains a top priority for law enforcement. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3