A man has been arrested in connection with the daring theft of France’s crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. The suspect, a 39-year-old with a criminal record and six previous convictions, is believed to be the fourth member of the crew involved in the heist that took place on October 19, 2023. He faces preliminary charges of robbery by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy, which could lead to a combined potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
The prosecutor’s office revealed that the stolen jewels are valued at approximately $102 million, not accounting for their significant historical importance to France. Details regarding the suspect’s specific involvement in the theft remain unclear, although it is reported that the robbery was executed with precision and speed.
Details of the Brazen Heist
The heist was characterized by meticulous planning, with thieves disguising themselves as museum workers, wearing bright vests to blend in. They utilized angle grinders, a freight lift, and strategic deception to access the museum’s Apollo Gallery, where the jewels were on display. Two members of the gang broke into the gallery, while two accomplices awaited their escape outside on motorbikes.
Surveillance footage from the museum documented the audacity of the operation, showing the thieves using grinders to cut through jewelry display cases. Remarkably, they managed to complete the heist in under eight minutes, leaving the museum just as swiftly as they entered.
The stolen items included a historic diamond-and-emerald necklace once owned by Empress Marie-Louise, along with jewels associated with 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and Empress Eugénie’s opulent pearl-and-diamond tiara. Although some of the stolen items remain missing, the emerald-set imperial crown of Empress Eugénie, adorned with over 1,300 diamonds, was discovered abandoned outside the museum shortly after the robbery.
Continuing Investigation
The investigation into the theft is ongoing, with police focusing on the remaining members of the heist team. The prosecutor’s office has not disclosed additional details about the other suspects involved or the recovery of the remaining stolen items.
As this high-profile case unfolds, it underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing and resolving art thefts, particularly in a world-renowned institution like the Louvre Museum, which attracts millions of visitors each year. The authorities are committed to recovering the stolen treasures and ensuring that those responsible for this audacious crime are held accountable.
