On Saturday, the Paris prosecutor announced that two new suspects have been charged with preliminary offenses related to the crown jewels heist that occurred at the Louvre Museum. This development came just three days after the pair was arrested as part of a extensive investigation into the theft.
According to prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the first suspect, a 37-year-old man, faces charges of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy. He is reportedly known to authorities due to prior theft offenses. The second suspect, a 38-year-old woman, has been accused of being an accomplice. Both individuals are currently incarcerated and have denied any involvement in the crime.
Adrien Sorrentino, the lawyer representing the female suspect, indicated that his client is “devastated” by the accusations. He stated that she does not understand how she could possibly be implicated in any aspect of the crime she is accused of committing.
As of now, the stolen jewels from the heist, which took place on October 19, have not been recovered. The estimated value of the jewels is around $102 million, and the collection includes a stunning diamond-and-emerald necklace that Napoleon gifted to Empress Marie-Louise, along with jewels associated with 19th-century queens, Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and a pearl-and-diamond tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie.
Earlier in the week, five individuals were detained by police in connection with the robbery, with one suspect linked to the crime through DNA evidence. This suspect is believed to be part of the team of four who accessed the Louvre using a freight lift truck. The prosecutor did not clarify whether this individual is among those charged on Saturday. The remaining three suspects have since been released without charges.
Two other suspects, a 34-year-old man and a 39-year-old man from Aubervilliers, situated north of Paris, were previously charged with similar offenses of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy. They provided “minimalist” statements and partially admitted their involvement in the theft, with investigators believing they were the individuals who forcibly gained access to the Apollo Gallery. One of these men was apprehended at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport while holding a one-way ticket to Algeria. His DNA matched evidence recovered from a scooter linked to the getaway.
Details regarding the suspects have not been extensively disclosed to the public, as French law mandates secrecy in such investigations. This is designed to protect the integrity of the police work and ensure the privacy rights of victims. The prosecutor is the only individual authorized to provide public updates, with penalties in place for any violations of this policy, commonly referred to as “secret d’instruction.”
Prosecutor Beccuau commended the significant efforts surrounding the investigation, noting that approximately 100 investigators are working tirelessly seven days a week. They have analyzed roughly 150 forensic samples and have sealed 189 items as evidence related to the case.
The heist reportedly took less than eight minutes to execute. The team of four utilized a freight lift, enabling two members to force a window and cut into two display cases with disc cutters before escaping on two scooters toward eastern Paris. The thieves were almost able to destroy crucial evidence by setting the lift on fire, but their plan was thwarted by the near-simultaneous arrival of police and museum security.
Currently, investigators have found no indications of insider assistance, although they remain open to the possibility of a broader network beyond the four individuals captured on surveillance footage.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported the arrest of six individuals after a robbery at a gold refining laboratory in Lyon, which involved the use of explosives. The stolen items, valued at an estimated 12 million euros (approximately $13.9 million), have since been recovered.
