Paris Prosecutor Confirms Arrests in France’s Crown Jewel Theft
French authorities announced Wednesday that two men arrested in connection with the theft of France’s crown jewels from the Louvre Museum have confessed to their role in the audacious heist. The suspects remain in custody and are expected to face formal charges later in the day, according to Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
The suspects admitted involvement in the seven-minute daylight raid on the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery on October 19, during which thieves made off with nine priceless pieces of royal jewelry worth an estimated €88 million ($102 million). Despite the arrests, Beccuau confirmed that the stolen jewels have not yet been recovered.
Details of the Arrests and Evidence
The two men, aged 34 and 39, were detained on Saturday after an intensive investigation involving more than 100 officers and forensic analysis of over 150 DNA samples. Two additional suspects remain at large.
The first man, a 34-year-old Algerian national with previous traffic-related offenses, was identified through DNA found on one of the getaway scooters. The second suspect, a 39-year-old illegal taxi and delivery driver from the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, was linked to the crime through DNA on broken display glass. He was already known to police for aggravated theft.
Authorities apprehended one suspect at Charles de Gaulle Airport as he attempted to flee to Algeria. “There is nothing to suggest that the four perpetrators benefited from inside help within the museum,” Beccuau said during a press conference.
The Heist: A Daring Raid on the Apollo Gallery
The theft took place in the early morning hours of October 19, when the group used a truck-mounted ladder to access the Louvre’s upper floor. They broke into two reinforced glass display cases and escaped with nine royal artifacts, including:
- An emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon Bonaparte to his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise.
- A diamond and sapphire jewelry set worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense.
- A jeweled diadem—a royal headpiece—set with sapphires and diamonds.
Investigators recovered several discarded items at the scene, including gloves, helmets, and high-visibility jackets, which helped trace the suspects. Prosecutors said the men are being investigated for robbery as part of an organized gang—charges carrying a potential 15-year prison sentence and heavy fines.
Search Continues for Missing Crown Jewels
Despite the breakthrough arrests, authorities have yet to locate the stolen treasures. The missing items include some of the most iconic symbols of France’s royal heritage, housed in one of the museum’s most opulent galleries.
“I’d like to keep hope that they will be found and returned to the Louvre and to the nation,” Beccuau said. She emphasized that the jewels are effectively unsellable due to their fame and uniqueness. “Anyone who buys them would be guilty of handling stolen goods. There is still time to return them.”
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue the international search for the remaining two suspects and the missing jewels.
