Police apprehended an additional five suspects connected to the heist of valuable treasures valued at $143 million Cdn from the Apollo gallery at the Louvre museum, as stated by the Paris prosecutor on Thursday. This development is expected to aid in the recovery of the stolen jewels. The theft, carried out by four individuals wearing masks, occurred during the museum’s opening hours on the morning of October 19, highlighting security vulnerabilities at the renowned museum. The incident drew global attention and sparked reflection in France, with some perceiving it as a national embarrassment.
The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, disclosed that the recent suspects were arrested in coordinated operations in Paris and its northern suburbs on Wednesday evening. While one suspect was identified through DNA evidence left at the crime scene, it remains uncertain if all suspects were directly involved in the theft. The investigation gathered momentum following the discovery of phones and other items on the suspects, enabling investigators to analyze encrypted communications they had engaged in.
Individuals under investigation for criminal conspiracy in France can be detained for up to 96 hours before formal charges are pressed. Although details about suspects are typically not disclosed during ongoing investigations, in high-profile cases, prosecutors are permitted to provide updates on the investigation and hold press conferences to announce developments.
Beccuau emphasized the efforts of a specialized police unit dedicated to combating the trafficking of cultural artifacts, which is actively searching the black market to locate the stolen items. Recovering the jewels is anticipated to be more challenging than identifying the thieves, caution art crime experts. The stolen loot comprised royal necklaces, tiaras, and earrings, items that may be challenging to sell. Alternatively, the jewels, including numerous diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, could be dismantled and repurposed to conceal their origins.
In an appeal to potential possessors of the stolen treasures, Beccuau underscored that the courts would consider the absence of harm caused by the burglary if the items were voluntarily surrendered. The museum’s surveillance cameras failed to promptly detect the intrusion, allowing the theft to occur within a short time frame. Consequently, the museum transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France under discreet police escort for safekeeping.
While four individuals executed the robbery, Beccuau did not dismiss the possibility of a broader network involvement, including a potential orchestrator behind the theft. Prior to the recent arrests, two other individuals detained in connection with the heist had partially confessed to their roles. One of them, a 34-year-old Algerian national residing in France since 2010, was intercepted at the airport attempting to depart for Algeria. The second individual, aged 39 and already under judicial supervision for aggravated theft, resides in Aubervilliers, a neighborhood in northern Paris.