Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the audacious theft of precious crown jewels from the renowned Louvre museum in Paris, according to reports from French media outlets. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed that one of the suspects was apprehended while attempting to board a flight at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The stolen items, valued at an astonishing €88 million (approximately £76 million or $102 million), were taken during a brazen daytime heist that occurred last Sunday.
On the day of the theft, a group of four thieves equipped with power tools executed their plan shortly after the museum opened its doors to visitors. According to reports, they arrived at the Louvre at 09:30 AM (local time), using a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the prestigious Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony near the River Seine. Eyewitness accounts and images from the scene depict a ladder leading up to a first-floor window, indicating the calculated nature of the operation.
Once inside, two of the thieves managed to cut through the window using their power tools. They then threatened museum guards, prompting an evacuation of the premises. The thieves swiftly cut through the glass of two display cases, making off with the valuable jewels in a matter of minutes. A preliminary report has shed light on serious security oversights at the museum, revealing that one in three rooms in the targeted area lacked CCTV cameras.
According to French police, the entire operation lasted only four minutes, and the thieves made their escape on two scooters waiting outside the museum at 09:38 AM. In the wake of this shocking incident, French officials have announced that security measures are being tightened across the country’s cultural institutions. France's justice minister has publicly acknowledged that security protocols have failed, which has severely impacted the nation's image.
The Paris prosecutor's office has stated that arrests were made on Saturday evening, although they did not disclose the exact number of individuals taken into custody. Specialist police are authorized to question the suspects for up to 96 hours. The prosecutor's office criticized the early release of information regarding the case, suggesting that it could impede the recovery of the stolen jewels and hinder ongoing efforts to locate the thieves.
This high-profile theft has not only raised concerns about security at one of the world’s most-visited museums but has also sparked a broader discussion about the protection of cultural heritage in France. As investigations continue, officials are under pressure to ensure that such an incident does not occur again.
