Paris’s prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, has stated that the recent audacious jewelry heist at the renowned Louvre museum was carried out by individuals described as “petty criminals” rather than seasoned, organized crime professionals.
Speaking to franceinfo radio, Beccuau noted that the four suspects arrested and charged so far in connection with the theft all reside in Seine-Saint-Denis, a disadvantaged district located just north of Paris.
The prosecutor clarified that while the crime was significant, it did not align with the typical modus operandi of high-level organized crime groups.
The theft, which occurred on 19 October, involved the loss of jewelry valued at €88 million (£76 million; $102 million) from the museum’s highly frequented Gallery of Apollo. The suspects reportedly used a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the gallery and a disc cutter to break into display cases.
Beccuau mentioned that two of the male suspects had prior convictions for theft, indicating a history with law enforcement. A 38-year-old woman was recently charged with complicity in organized theft and criminal conspiracy, while a 37-year-old man faces charges of theft and criminal conspiracy. Both have reportedly denied involvement.
Investigators believe four men were directly involved in the daylight robbery, with one still at large. Three other individuals who were detained earlier have since been released without charge.
The prosecutor expressed hope that the stolen jewels, which have not yet been recovered, could still be retrieved intact, although there is concern they may have already been moved abroad.
Following the incident, security measures at France’s cultural institutions have been enhanced, with the Louvre reportedly transferring some of its most valuable jewelry to the Bank of France for safekeeping.