PARIS (AP) — Authorities have apprehended suspects in relation to the daring theft of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris, according to the Paris prosecutor’s announcement on Sunday, occurring just a week after the audacious heist captured global attention.
The prosecutor disclosed that the arrests took place on Saturday evening. Among those detained, one individual was reportedly on the verge of leaving the country via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Reports from French media outlets, BFM TV and Le Parisien, indicated that two suspects had been taken into custody. However, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau refrained from confirming the exact number of arrests or if any of the stolen jewels had been retrieved.
The audacious theft occurred last Sunday morning, with the culprits taking under eight minutes to make off with jewels estimated to be worth 88 million euros ($102 million) from the museum, renowned as the world’s most-visited. French authorities detailed how the thieves employed a basket lift to scale the Louvre’s exterior, breached a window, smashed display cases, and swiftly escaped. The museum’s director described the breach as a “terrible failure.”
Beccuau explained that a specialized police unit, responsible for handling armed robberies, significant burglaries, and art thefts, was instrumental in making the arrests. In her statement, she expressed concern over the premature release of information, which she warned could compromise the efforts of the over 100 investigators “dedicated to recovering the stolen jewels and capturing all involved individuals.” Further information is expected to be disclosed following the suspects’ detention period.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez commended the investigators for their relentless dedication, stating they have always had his complete trust and support, aligning with his expectations for their efforts.
The Louvre reopened earlier this week after one of the highest-profile museum thefts of the century stunned the world with its audacity and scale.
The thieves slipped in and out, making off with parts of France’s Crown Jewels — a cultural wound that some compared to the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019.
The thieves made away with a total of eight objects, including a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from a set linked to 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense.
They also took an emerald necklace and earrings tied to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, as well as a reliquary brooch. Empress Eugénie’s diamond diadem and her large corsage-bow brooch — an imperial ensemble of rare craftsmanship — were also part of the loot.
One piece — Eugénie’s emerald-set imperial crown with more than 1,300 diamonds — was later found outside the museum, damaged but repairable.
News of the arrests was met with relief by Louvre visitors and passersby on Sunday.
“It’s important for our heritage. A week later, it does feel a bit late, we wonder how this could even happen — but it was important that the guys were caught,” said Freddy Jacquemet.
“I think the main thing now is whether they can recover the jewels,” added Diana Ramirez. “That’s what really matters.”
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Petrequin reported from London.
