Suspects Arrested

French police arrested two suspects connected to the robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Context

The Louvre is the world's most-visited museum and houses thousands of works of art. On the morning of October 19, four thieves used a vehicle-mounted lift to reach a first-floor window and broke into the museum's Galerie d'Apollon. The burglars cut through two display cases with power tools and stole eight pieces of royal jewelry from the 19th century, including tiaras, necklaces, and earrings. The items were valued at €88M ($102M), though officials described their cultural and historical value as "inestimable." The thieves were inside for approximately six or seven minutes before fleeing on scooters.

First Arrests

On Saturday evening, police arrested two suspects in connection with the heist. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests on Sunday morning, stating that one man was taken into custody at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave France.

French media reported that two men in their thirties with previous burglary records were arrested, with one reportedly planning to fly to Algeria and the other possibly to Mali. Police can hold the suspects for up to 96 hours before deciding whether to bring charges.

Race Against Time

Beccuau expressed concern that leaks to French media about the investigation could hinder efforts by approximately 100 investigators to recover the stolen jewelry and identify all perpetrators. Despite the recent arrests, authorities are still racing against time as they fear the jewels may have already been broken down.

The gems can be recut and the gold and silver melted, making them virtually impossible to trace back to the robbery. Beccuau said she would provide further details only after the initial custody period ended, and she regretted the premature disclosure of information about the arrests.

Government Response

France’s interior minister praised the investigators who "worked relentlessly" after the arrests were announced. The justice minister described the robbery as a failure that gave France "a deplorable image."

The heist exposed significant security weaknesses at the Louvre, with investigators describing the robbery as the work of an organized group. Officials said they were considering whether the thieves may have had help from inside the museum.