🔗 Share this article

Four additional individuals are now under arrest as part of the continuing probe into the last month's heist of priceless jewelry at the Louvre Museum, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.

Details of the Latest Apprehensions

Two male suspects, 38 and 39 years old, and two women, in their early thirties and forties, faced apprehension earlier this week. All are from the Paris region.

Among them is considered as the last participant of a group of four that allegedly carried out the broad-daylight robbery, per local news outlets. The remaining trio suspected thieves have already been arrested and indicted, authorities state.

Police now have a maximum of four days to conduct interviews. Zero evidence has so far been found of the taken jewelry - valued at 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which were stolen on October 19th.

Earlier Indictments and Rejections

Four individuals have already been charged in relation to the robbery - a trio of males and one female, who are likewise residents of the Parisian area.

One female, aged 38 was charged earlier this month with complicity in organised theft and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime.

In a distinct case, one male suspect, 37 years old, was indicted for theft and criminal conspiracy.

These two suspects, who have not been named publicly, have disavowed any participation.

How the Heist Was Carried Out

The theft took place when the group of four men used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon by means of a balcony adjacent to the Seine.

The thieves utilized a disc cutter to break into exhibition cases containing the jewelry.

The thieves were inside for just 240 seconds and made their escape on two motor scooters waiting outside at 9:38 AM, before transferring to automobiles.

One of the stolen items - an imperial crown - was fallen in the flight but eight additional pieces of jewellery - featuring an emerald and diamond necklace that Emperor Napoleon presented to his second wife, the Empress Marie-Louise - were taken.

Safeguarding Failures and Consequences

Authorities have indicated that the theft was performed by minor lawbreakers rather than organised crime professionals.

Shortly after the theft, it was announced by the Louvre leadership that the single monitoring device monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was pointing away from the balcony the thieves climbed over to break in.

Louvre leadership has since admitted that the establishment had not fulfilled in its duties, but denied that security had been overlooked - stating that from the time she took office in the year 2021 she had been warning constantly of the necessity of increased funding.

Improved Protective Steps

In the wake of the robbery, safeguarding procedures have been strengthened for French heritage sites.

The museum has moved some of its most precious jewels to the national bank following the heist.