In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the daring heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, two suspects have been arrested. This robbery, which occurred last Sunday, involved a gang of four men who successfully made off with crown jewels valued at an astonishing €88 million (£76 million), as reported by the Paris prosecutor.
According to police sources, the arrests took place on Saturday evening as part of an ongoing investigation led by the Paris organised crime squad. The suspects, both in their 30s and hailing from Seine St-Denis, a suburb located just outside the French capital, were apprehended in connection with this high-profile case. One of the suspects was captured around 10 PM (2000 GMT) at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport while attempting to board a flight abroad, as detailed by French media outlets Le Parisien and Paris Match.
The robbery occurred at approximately 9:30 AM last Sunday when the gang arrived at the world’s most visited museum in a stolen furniture removal truck. This vehicle was equipped with an extending ladder and lift, which two of the gang members used to gain access to the Apollo gallery on the first floor. Disguised in high-visibility vests to mimic construction workers, they managed to smash an unsecured window, allowing them to sneak into the ornate gallery.
Once inside, the thieves utilized disc cutters to breach two display cases, successfully extracting the precious crown jewels. After completing their theft, they descended in the bucket lift, escaping the scene on the back of motorbikes driven by the other two accomplices. This meticulously planned operation highlights the audacity and coordination of the gang, raising concerns about security at major cultural sites.
The investigation into the Louvre heist continues, with authorities working diligently to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and recover the stolen jewels. The incident has sparked discussions about security measures at one of the most renowned museums in the world, underscoring the need for enhanced protection for invaluable artifacts.
As the situation develops, updates will be provided on the progress of the investigation and the legal proceedings against the suspects in this high-stakes case.
