Parisian prosecutors have revealed that two additional individuals have been implicated in last month’s Louvre Museum heist, raising the total number of charged suspects to four.
Authorities have detained seven individuals in connection with the audacious crime at the iconic gallery, which faced an invasion on October 19. A group of four intruders breached the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery, making off with jewels valued at 88 million euros (approximately $102 million).
The daring theft was executed in less than eight minutes during daylight hours.
Among the newly charged is a 38-year-old woman from La Courneuve, a suburb of Paris. She faces charges of complicity in organized theft and conspiracy to commit a crime, as reported by Reuters.
A police vehicle was seen stationed in the Louvre Museum’s courtyard a week following the robbery on October 19. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
Additionally, a 37-year-old man has been charged with theft and conspiracy, according to the same report.
Both suspects, whose identities have not yet been released, denied any involvement, the BBC reported.
A magistrate judge on Saturday ruled the two suspects must remain in custody as the case is investigated amid concerns they may collude with others to destroy evidence, the outlet reported.
People tour the courtyard of the Louvre Museum Oct. 27. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The 37-year-old man is reportedly known to French authorities for past robberies.
The other two suspects previously arrested were charged with criminal conspiracy and theft committed by an organized gang.
One of the suspects, a 34-year-old Algerian national who has lived in France since 2010, was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to flee to Algeria on a one-way ticket, according to prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
Police secure an area outside the Louvre Museum in Paris. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images)
The 34-year-old, who lived in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, was previously known to police for traffic offenses, according to Beccuau. Investigators say they identified his DNA on a scooter used during the escape.
Another suspect, a 39-year-old man also living in Aubervilliers, was arrested at his house and has a record of multiple prior thefts, Beccuau said.
Authorities reportedly linked his DNA to a glass display case that contained the stolen jewels and several items left behind.
