A man and a woman are now facing formal investigation in connection with the staggering $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, as announced by the Paris prosecutor. Their recent arrests have escalated the total number of individuals charged in this high-profile case to four.
The male suspect, 37 years old and with a history of theft-related offenses, is facing serious charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy. His accomplice, a 38-year-old woman, is charged with complicity in organized theft and criminal conspiracy. Both maintain their innocence regarding their involvement in the audacious heist.
Prior to this, three other individuals arrested on October 29 were released without charges. The newly charged suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention as investigations are ongoing. Notably, the woman is reported to hail from La Courneuve, a suburb located in northern Paris.
The latest developments follow revelations from the prosecutor that the initial two suspects arrested had “partially admitted” to their roles in the audacious crime. Among these suspects is a 34-year-old man from Algeria, who had been living in France since 2010. He was caught trying to board a flight to Algeria, along with a 39-year-old man who was already under judicial supervision from another theft case. Both of these suspects reside in Aubervilliers, a low-income area in northern Paris.
Authorities are actively pursuing the investigation, yet no trace of the stolen jewels has been uncovered at this stage. Dramatically, the heist took place two weeks ago when two hooded thieves gained access to a second-floor window using a movers’ lift, smashed the display cases with power tools, and escaped on scooters aided by two accomplices. The incident has raised significant alarm regarding the security vulnerabilities at the world’s most-visited museum.
The continued legal proceedings reflect the dedication of French authorities to combat high-profile crimes effectively, reinforcing public confidence in safety measures. As insights into the case develop, they underscore the critical need for enhanced security protocols to safeguard invaluable cultural assets.