Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of priceless jewels from the Louvre Museum, a crime that stunned a nation and triggered an international manhunt.
The arrests took place one week after thieves made off with eight pieces from the Galerie d’Apollon, including Napoleonic-era gems valued at €88 million.
One suspect was apprehended at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Algeria. The second was arrested shortly after in the Paris region.
Both men, reportedly in their 30s and from the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb northeast of Paris, were known to police. Their identities have not been officially released and authorities have not confirmed whether any of the stolen jewels have been recovered.
The heist, which occurred during regular museum hours on October 19, was executed in under eight minutes.
Disguised as construction workers, the thieves used a crane to access an upper-level window, bypassing security and surveillance systems in what experts have called one of the most sophisticated museum robberies in decades.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau expressed frustration over media leaks regarding the arrests, warning that such disclosures could jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
“This revelation can only hinder the investigative efforts of the 100 or so mobilised investigators,” she said in a statement.
The Louvre, one of the world’s most visited museums, has since reopened under heightened security. Authorities continue their search for additional suspects and the missing treasures.
