Louvre Heist: Four Suspects Charged as Jewel Recovery Remains Elusive
Paris, France – – Four individuals have been formally charged and detained in connection with the audacious heist at the Louvre Museum, where thieves made off with an estimated $102 million worth of royal jewels. Three of the suspects are believed to have directly participated in the brazen daytime robbery, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
The theft, which unfolded over a period of six to seven minutes in the museum’s second-story Apollo Gallery, involved smashing glass display cases and absconding with eight pieces of historically significant jewelry. The thieves escaped on motorbikes shortly after the museum opened to the public.
Authorities arrested at least two suspects on . One of those arrested was a 34-year-old Algerian national who had been residing in France since . He was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle airport while attempting to fly to Algeria without a return ticket. Investigators found his DNA matched evidence recovered from a scooter used in the getaway. He reportedly told investigators he previously worked as a garbage collector and delivery man, but was currently unemployed.
Beccuau noted a “closeness” among the suspects, revealing that two of them were previously convicted together in a theft case. All four are reportedly based in the northern suburbs of Paris. A fourth suspect, believed to be part of the “commando” team, remains at large, and investigators are also seeking to identify those who may have orchestrated the crime.
The stolen jewels include a tiara, earrings, and a sapphire necklace belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, the stepdaughter of Napoleon I. Also taken were an emerald necklace and earrings from the Marie-Louise set, a reliquary brooch, and jewelry belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.
Despite the arrests, the location of the stolen jewels remains unknown. “I want to remain hopeful that (the jewels) will be found and they can be brought back to the Louvre, and more broadly to the nation,” Beccuau stated in a news conference following the arrests.
The robbery has prompted criticism of the Louvre’s security measures. Museum officials acknowledged that the museum’s cameras failed to capture the burglars and have pledged to implement security upgrades to the centuries-old building.
While prosecutors have stated there is no evidence to suggest the robbery was an inside job, the investigation continues to unfold. Authorities are pursuing all leads in an effort to recover the stolen artifacts and bring all those responsible to justice.
