Key Highlights
- French police arrest two suspects in connection with the major jewel heist at the Louvre Museum.
- The arrests were made just as the suspects were about to leave France, ending a nationwide manhunt.
- Both suspects are French nationals from Seine Saint Denis and have dual citizenships.
- Trace DNA evidence linked one of the suspects to the crime scene.
New Arrests in Louvre Jewel Heist Case
The French National Police made a significant breakthrough on Friday, October 20, as they arrested two suspects involved in last week’s major jewel heist at the Louvre Museum. The arrests were made just as the individuals attempted to leave France for neighboring African countries.
Arrests and Manhunt Details
The first suspect was apprehended on Saturday evening, October 21, at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport while trying to board a flight bound for Algeria. The second suspect was detained by police as he was preparing to travel to Mali in West Africa. Both suspects are French nationals residing in Seine Saint Denis, a suburb of Paris.
According to investigators, one of the suspects holds dual citizenship with Mali and France, while the other is a citizen of both France and Algeria.
Both individuals have prior records for burglary cases. The DNA evidence recovered from a helmet left at the scene was used by investigators to identify one of the suspects, leading to their surveillance and subsequent arrest.
The Louvre Heist
The theft occurred on October 19 in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre Museum shortly after it opened for the day. The criminal team drove up to the side of the museum in a “mobile freight elevator” equipped with a metal ladder, which was used to gain access to the second floor, specifically the Apollo Gallery.
The suspects broke into two display cases using an angle grinder and stole eight precious pieces of jewelry, including crowns containing thousands of diamonds and other gemstones. The total value of the stolen jewels is estimated at $102 million by Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau. The items belonged to Emperor Napoleon and his wife.
Government Praises Investigators
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed his gratitude to the investigators, praising their relentless efforts. “I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the investigators who worked tirelessly as I asked them to and who always had my full confidence,” Nuñez said in a social media post on Sunday, October 22.
Nuñez emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation under the authority of the specialized interregional court of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office. “The investigations must continue in accordance with the secrecy of the investigation,” he stated. He also encouraged continued determination and perseverance from all involved parties.
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his commitment to apprehending those responsible for what he described as an “attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our history.” French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who is overseeing the investigation alongside the Justice Ministry, characterized the heist as “a simple, but spectacular operation.”
Despite the arrests, authorities continue to search for two other suspects involved in the heist. These individuals left the scene on motorbikes shortly after the theft and were last spotted speeding southeast on Highway A6 out of Paris towards Lyon.
The Louvre Museum remains closed as investigations continue, with security measures intensified around the facility. The museum’s management is working closely with law enforcement to ensure public safety while preserving one of France’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
