🔗 Share this article

A further quartet of individuals were taken into custody as part of the active inquiry into the last month's heist of priceless gems at the Paris Louvre, as stated by the French judicial authorities.

Details of the Most Recent Arrests

Two male suspects, 38 and 39 years old, and two female individuals, in their early thirties and forties, faced apprehension earlier this week. They all reside in the Paris region.

One of those detained is believed to be the last participant of a quartet of thieves that allegedly carried out the daytime theft, as reported by French media. The remaining trio suspected thieves have already been arrested and charged, according to officials.

Investigators currently possess up to 96 hours to conduct interviews. Not a single clue has yet been uncovered of the pilfered gems - worth an estimated eighty-eight million euros - which disappeared on the nineteenth of October.

Previous Indictments and Rejections

Four individuals have already been charged concerning the theft - a trio of males and one female, who similarly reside within the Parisian area.

One female, aged 38 was charged earlier this month with complicity in organised theft and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime.

Additionally, a 37-year-old male, was indicted for robbery and illegal conspiracy.

These two suspects, who remain unnamed in public records, have disavowed any participation.

The Way the Theft Took Place

The theft took place when the team of four individuals used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to enter the Galerie d'Apollon through a terrace adjacent to the Seine.

The thieves utilized a disc cutter to crack open exhibition cases which held the precious items.

The robbers remained within for a mere four minutes and made their escape on two scooters stationed outside at 09:38 in the morning, before switching to cars.

One taken artifact - a crown - was dropped during the escape but eight additional pieces of jewelry - including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that was gifted by Napoleon I his empress, Empress Marie-Louise - were stolen.

Protective Failures and Consequences

Officials have revealed that the heist was carried out by minor lawbreakers as opposed to organised crime professionals.

Shortly after the theft, it was disclosed by the museum's director that the sole surveillance camera watching the Apollo Gallery was facing opposite the terrace used by the perpetrators to break in.

The president of the Louvre has since admitted that the institution had fallen short in its obligations, but disputed allegations of security being ignored - saying that from the moment of her appointment in 2021 she had been consistently alerting of the need for more investment.

Enhanced Protective Steps

Following the event, protective protocols have been tightened around French heritage sites.

The Louvre has transferred some of its most precious jewels to the French central bank after the theft.