Paris: French police have arrested two men in connection with the daring daylight theft of crown jewels from Paris’ iconic Louvre Museum, marking a major breakthrough in one of the country’s most high-profile art crimes in recent years. The arrests were confirmed Saturday evening by the Paris prosecutor, signaling a significant step forward in the ongoing investigation.
One suspect was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave France for Algeria, while the second was detained in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb north of Paris. Both men, reportedly in their thirties and known to French law enforcement, are now under questioning to determine their precise involvement in the theft. Authorities are exploring links to potential organized crime networks.
The heist took place on October 19, when the thieves brazenly used a crane to smash a window in the Galerie d'Apollon during museum hours, seizing eight priceless items, including crowns and ceremonial jewels collectively valued at approximately $102 million. Following the theft, the perpetrators fled the scene on motorbikes. One of the stolen pieces, the crown of Empress Eugénie, was later found abandoned outside the museum, raising questions about the thieves’ planning and intentions.
The incident has sparked public outrage and intense scrutiny of security measures at the Louvre, one of the world’s most visited museums. In response, museum officials immediately transferred the remaining treasures to the Bank of France for safekeeping and temporarily closed the facility. The Louvre has since reopened to the public, but security has been markedly increased.
Investigators are working to track the whereabouts of the remaining stolen jewels, though experts caution that recovery may be difficult due to the high portability and value of the items, which could easily be dismantled or sold on the black market. French authorities have pledged to pursue all leads, emphasizing that those responsible will face the full force of the law.
While the arrests represent a crucial advance in the investigation, officials stress that the case is far from resolved. The identities of the suspects’ potential accomplices and the ultimate fate of the stolen treasures remain central questions as the probe continues.