French media report that two suspects have been arrested in connection with last Sunday’s theft at the Louvre museum in Paris. A gang of four men stole crown jewels valued at around €88 million (£76 million).
The Paris public prosecutor confirmed on Sunday that one man was arrested by organized crime officers at Charles de Gaulle airport around 10 p.m. on Saturday but did not specify the total number of arrests. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau expressed regret over the early disclosure of this information, warning it could disrupt the efforts of over 100 investigators working to recover the stolen jewels and capture all those responsible.
She stated it was too soon to provide more details and would issue another update after the suspects’ pre-charge detention period ends. French law allows for suspects in serious crimes to be held for up to 96 hours before being charged.
According to multiple French news outlets, the man arrested at the airport was about to fly to Algeria, while the second suspect was detained later that day in the Paris area. Both are in their 30s and known to police, held on suspicion of organized theft and criminal conspiracy.
France Inter radio, citing police sources, reported that the pair are from the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis and were identified through forensic analysis of items left at the scene, including a helmet, angle grinders, a high-visibility vest, and other objects.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the investigators but urged adherence to judicial secrecy laws to allow the investigation to proceed smoothly.
Beccuau mentioned on Friday that over 150 DNA samples, fingerprints, and other traces are being examined in Paris and nearby labs, and she remains optimistic about the investigation’s progress.
The heist occurred last Sunday morning when four men arrived at the museum in a stolen furniture truck equipped with an extending ladder and lift. Two of them ascended to the first-floor Apollo gallery, wearing high-vis vests to blend in as maintenance workers. They broke an unsecured window, used disc cutters to open two display cases, and then descended in the lift before escaping on motorbikes driven by their accomplices.
The entire operation took less than seven minutes, with the two inside the gallery for just under four minutes. They dropped a crown adorned with diamonds and emeralds during their escape but made off with eight other gem-encrusted pieces.
Among the stolen items were an emerald and diamond necklace given by Napoleon I to his second wife, Marie Louise, and a diadem featuring 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about the Louvre jewel theft arrests written in a natural conversational tone
FAQs Louvre Jewel Theft Arrests
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What happened at the Louvre
A significant theft occurred where valuable jewels were stolen from a display case within the museum
2 When did this theft happen
The theft took place in late June 2024
3 Who was arrested
Two men have been taken into custody by French police in connection with the crime
4 Have the stolen jewels been recovered
As of now the jewels have not been recovered The investigation is ongoing to locate them
5 How did the thieves manage to steal from the Louvre
Initial reports suggest they broke a display window to access the jewels The museums full security protocols are under review
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What specific jewels were stolen
The stolen items included a diamondencrusted tiara and a pair of earrings with an estimated total value in the millions of dollars
7 What charges are the arrested men facing
They are likely to be charged with organized theft and criminal association which are serious felonies in France
8 How were the suspects identified and caught
Police used a combination of security footage from the museum and the surrounding area witness statements and forensic evidence to identify and track down the suspects
9 Was this an inside job
Authorities have not indicated that any Louvre staff were involved The investigation is focused on the two arrested individuals and their potential network
10 What does this mean for the Louvres security reputation
This incident is a major embarrassment and has prompted an immediate highlevel review of all security measures to prevent a future breach
Practical Broader Impact Questions
11 Will the Louvre be open to the public
Yes the Louvre remains open though the specific gallery where the theft occurred might be temporarily closed as part of the investigation
12 How can stolen art and jewels like this be sold
It is extremely difficult to sell such famous recognizable pieces on the open market They are often fenced through illicit private networks or held for ransom or used as collateral in the criminal underworld
13 What is the typical sentence for a crime like this in France
Conviction
