In a significant development following the high-profile theft at the Louvre Museum, two suspects have been arrested in connection with the brazen daylight robbery of precious crown jewels. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrests, stating that one of the individuals was apprehended as they were preparing to depart the country via Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The heist, which occurred last Sunday, saw four thieves breach the world-renowned museum, making off with eight items collectively valued at €88 million (£76 million; $102 million). The perpetrators reportedly used power tools to gain entry and a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the Gallery of Apollo, exploiting security vulnerabilities, including a lack of functioning CCTV in some areas.
French officials have acknowledged significant security failures, with the museum’s director noting that the camera covering the point of entry was misdirected. The thieves were in and out of the museum in a mere four minutes, escaping on scooters. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities focusing on recovering the stolen items, which include historical pieces like a tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie. Concerns have been raised that the jewels may have already been broken down, making recovery even more challenging.
In response to the incident, security measures at France’s cultural institutions have been enhanced, and some of the Louvre’s most valuable jewels have been transferred to the secure vaults of the Bank of France for safekeeping.