French police have arrested two men suspected of involvement in the spectacular heist at the Louvre. The value of the stolen jewels is estimated at over 88 million euros. The suspects were apprehended on Saturday evening as they were trying to leave France. What do we know about their background, their plans, and what has been recovered?
Two suspects have been detained over the break-in at the Louvre. They are two men, around 30 years old, from the immigrant-heavy department of Seine-Saint-Denis, with records for burglary. One of them was caught at Charles de Gaulle airport as he tried to flee to Algeria. The other intended to flee to Mali. The search for the two remaining perpetrators continues. A motorcycle helmet and a yellow vest were found at the scene. Police collected around 150 traces, including hair from one of the burglars. It is possible that they acted on commission. Nine jewels of priceless historical value from the French Crown Jewels are valued at around 88 million euros.
🇫🇷 Zatrzymano dwóch podejrzanych o włamanie do Luwru. To dwaj mężczyźni ok. 30 lat z imigranckiego departamentu Seine-Saint-Denis, notowani za włamania. Jednego z nich schwytano na lotnisku CDG, gdy próbował uciec do Algierii. Drugi zamierzał uciec do Mali. Trwa poszukiwanie… https://t.co/JSG4aBmCEApic.twitter.com/AgZ0CcVr0v
The detained men are about 30 years old and come from the Seine-Saint-Denis department, a northern district of Paris. They are known to police for previous burglaries and are considered experienced criminals. According to French media, they may have acted on commission, which suggests that a larger criminal network could be behind the theft.
Where did they want to escape to?
One of the suspects was detained at Charles de Gaulle airport as he was preparing to board a plane bound for Algeria. The second man was arrested north of Paris. Both were taken to a detention facility overseen by the Brigade for the Fight against Banditry (BRB).
What was stolen from the Louvre?
The heist took place on Sunday, 19 October. In just eight minutes, four perpetrators broke into the Louvre, using a stolen truck-mounted lift to reach the museum’s first floor. Eight priceless jewels were stolen from the Apollo Gallery, including:
The tiara, necklace and earrings with sapphires of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
Emerald jewellery (necklace and earrings) from the set of Empress Marie-Louise
Brooch and tiara of Empress Eugénie
Reliquary brooch with 94 diamonds
The loot is estimated at 88 million euros. The thieves did not take the most valuable item, the Regent diamond, valued at 60 million dollars.
What has been recovered?
During the escape, the perpetrators dropped the crown of Empress Eugénie, which the Louvre had purchased for 6.72 million euros. Police also secured a helmet, gloves, an orange high-visibility work vest, a walkie-talkie and a container of flammable liquid. Around 150 fingerprint and DNA traces were identified on these items. The truck-mounted lift the thieves used to enter the museum was found abandoned on a street.
What next?
The investigation is ongoing, and police are searching for the remaining perpetrators and the stolen jewels. Prosecutors do not rule out that the theft was commissioned by a collector or carried out to sell the jewels in pieces. At the Louvre, a debate is under way about strengthening security measures following this spectacular robbery.
