Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the audacious jewelry heist at the Louvre, as reported by the Paris prosecutor on Sunday. The arrests were made just as one of the suspects was preparing to leave France, specifically for Algeria, from Charles de Gaulle airport.
The two men, both in their 30s and hailing from the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb, are known to local law enforcement agencies. Despite the arrests, there remains no indication that any of the stolen crown jewels have been retrieved. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, did not disclose the total number of individuals arrested or further details surrounding the matter, voicing her concern over the leak of information regarding the investigation. She emphasized that such disclosures could impede the efforts of the roughly 100 investigators assigned to the case.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, facing public pressure for answers a week after the brazen robbery, acknowledged the diligent work of the investigators in a tweet.
On October 19, four masked thieves stole eight valuable pieces from the Louvre’s collection, estimated to be worth around $102 million. The robbery involved a dramatic break-in where the suspects used a crane to smash a window during museum hours and made their escape on motorbikes. This incident has sparked a national conversation regarding security at one of the world’s most famous museums, revealing potential vulnerabilities.
Among the stolen items were a tiara and an earring belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie, as well as pieces from the jewelry collection of Queen Hortense, dating back to the early 19th century. A valuable crown owned by Empress Eugenie, made from gold, emeralds, and diamonds, was discovered damaged outside the museum after the thieves presumably dropped it during their escape.
The Louvre, established as a museum in 1793, continues to draw millions of visitors annually, showcasing its vast array of masterpieces including the Mona Lisa. This latest heist has intensified discussions regarding the balance between heritage preservation and security, highlighting the challenges faced by cultural institutions globally.
There is hope that with the recent arrests, the stolen jewels may still be recovered and that lessons learned from this incident will lead to heightened security measures, ensuring better protection for cultural treasures in the future.