A man and a woman are now under formal investigation in connection with the $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, according to the Paris prosecutor. Their arrests bring the total number of individuals charged in the case to four.
The 37-year-old man, who has a history with the police due to previous thefts, faces charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy. The 38-year-old woman is charged with complicity in organized theft and criminal conspiracy. Both deny their involvement in the daring heist.
In addition to these two suspects, three other individuals detained on October 29 were released without charges. Both the newly charged suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention as investigations continue. Reports indicate that the woman is from La Courneuve, a neighborhood in the northern suburbs of Paris.
Last week, the prosecutor revealed that the initial two suspects arrested had “partially admitted” to their roles in the crime. This group includes a 34-year-old Algerian national living in France since 2010, who was apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Algeria, and a 39-year-old man already under judicial supervision in another theft case. Both of these suspects reside in Aubervilliers, a low-income area in northern Paris.
The investigation continues to be active, with authorities noting that no trace of the stolen jewels has been discovered thus far. The heist itself unfolded dramatically two weeks ago when two hooded thieves utilized a movers’ lift to access a second-floor window and smashed the display cases containing the jewels using power tools, subsequently fleeing on scooters with the assistance of two accomplices. This incident has caused widespread concern, highlighting vulnerabilities in the security systems of the world’s most-visited museum.
The ongoing legal proceedings amplify the commitment of French authorities to address high-profile crimes effectively, aiming to instill confidence in public safety. As these developments unfold, they serve as a reminder of the need for robust security measures in protecting valuable cultural heritage.