The Paris prosecutor revealed on Sunday that two suspects involved in the recent Louvre jewelry heist have a shared criminal history, having been convicted together for theft a decade ago. Laure Beccuau, the prosecutor, indicated that three members of a four-person team behind the heist are currently in custody.
DNA evidence from the 37-year-old suspect, who was charged on Saturday, linked him to the basket lift used to access the museum’s window. He faces preliminary charges of organized theft and criminal conspiracy, backed by a notable criminal history of 11 prior convictions, 10 of which were for theft. Similarly, a 39-year-old suspect, facing related charges, has a lengthy record of 15 convictions, including two for theft.
Beccuau emphasized the interesting correlation in the records of the two suspects, revealing they were both involved in the same theft case that occurred in Paris in 2015. Alongside them, a 34-year-old man, suspected to be part of the so-called “commando” team, has also been charged recently, while a 38-year-old woman, connected to the 37-year-old suspect as a longtime partner, faces preliminary charges of complicity. At present, all four individuals remain in custody.
While Beccuau refrained from commenting on the investigation’s progress in recovering the stolen jewels, she noted authorities are exploring possibilities for their sale in the parallel market. She expressed hope that such transactions would not occur soon, acknowledging that the jewelry could potentially be used in money laundering or trade.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez shared his optimism regarding the investigation during an interview with Le Parisien, stating, “There are four perpetrators, at least one of whom remains at large, plus possibly the one or those who ordered the crime and the jewelry.” While he expressed confidence in law enforcement’s efforts, he tempered expectations regarding the swift recovery of the stolen valuables.
This heist at the Louvre underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding art crime and the need for heightened security measures at cultural institutions. Despite the darker implications of theft, the pursuit of justice in this case shines a light on the diligent work of law enforcement in tackling organized crime, offering hope for a successful resolution.