The Paris prosecutor announced on Sunday that two suspects connected to the recent jewelry heist at the Louvre have a shared criminal past, having previously been convicted together for theft a decade ago. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that three out of a four-member team involved in the heist are currently in custody.
DNA evidence links a 37-year-old suspect, who was charged on Saturday, to the basket lift used to reach the museum’s window. He is facing preliminary charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy, supported by a notable criminal history, including 11 prior convictions – 10 of which were for theft. Similarly, a 39-year-old suspect, also facing related charges, boasts an extensive record of 15 convictions, with two specifically for theft.
Beccuau pointed out the notable intersection in the criminal histories of these two suspects, as they were both implicated in a theft case in Paris from 2015. Additionally, a 34-year-old man, suspected of being part of the so-called “commando” team, has been charged, along with a 38-year-old woman connected to the 37-year-old suspect, who faces preliminary charges of complicity. Currently, all four suspects remain in custody.
While Beccuau did not comment on the investigation’s progress in retrieving the stolen jewels, she mentioned that authorities are examining the potential for their sale in the black market, expressing hope that such transactions would not happen soon due to the potential for use in money laundering or trade.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez conveyed optimism regarding the investigation during an interview with Le Parisien, mentioning the existence of four perpetrators, with at least one still at large, as well as those who may have orchestrated the crime. While he expressed faith in law enforcement’s capabilities, he also cautioned against expecting a quick recovery of the stolen items.
This incident at the Louvre highlights the ongoing challenges art institutions face concerning theft and the importance of enhanced security measures at cultural sites. Despite the inherent challenges of such crime, the determined efforts of law enforcement to resolve this case offer a promising outlook for justice, reinforcing the notion that the pursuit of art theft criminals is an imperative task for the preservation of cultural heritage.