Two individuals involved in the Louvre jewelry theft have partially confessed to their roles and are suspected to be the perpetrators who forcibly entered the renowned museum, according to a statement by a Paris prosecutor on Wednesday. Laure Beccuau revealed during a press briefing that the duo is facing initial charges related to theft by an organized group and criminal conspiracy. The incident, which occurred on October 19 and lasted less than eight minutes, resulted in the disappearance of jewels valued at around $143 million Canadian dollars, causing a global sensation.
One of the suspects, a 34-year-old Algerian citizen residing in France since 2010, was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle airport as he was preparing to depart for Algeria without a return ticket. Living in the northern suburb of Aubervilliers in Paris, he had a history of mainly road traffic violations, as per Beccuau. The second suspect, aged 39, was taken into custody at his residence in Aubervilliers. Beccuau noted that there was no indication that he was planning to leave the country. This individual had previous involvements in theft cases, and his DNA was discovered on one of the glass enclosures housing the stolen jewels and on items left behind by the thieves.
Authorities had until Wednesday night to formally charge, release, or seek an extension from a judge regarding the suspects. The stolen jewels have yet to be located, with Beccuau warning that anyone purchasing them would be complicit in concealing stolen property. French police acknowledged deficiencies in the Louvre’s security systems, prompting a national discussion on safeguarding France’s cultural treasures.
Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure disclosed that outdated systems and delays in upgrades left vulnerabilities in the museum’s security. Faure highlighted the need for technological advancements, such as a planned $93 million project for infrastructure improvements. The police response to the theft was triggered by a passerby who witnessed suspicious activity outside the Louvre and alerted the authorities.
The incident has also revealed a gap in insurance coverage, as the stolen jewels were not privately insured, leaving the Louvre without compensation for the loss. Faure cautioned against hasty solutions and emphasized the importance of enhancing alert mechanisms rather than stationing guards permanently within the museum. Culture Minister Rachida Dati defended the security measures at the Louvre while acknowledging existing gaps and refrained from providing detailed information due to ongoing investigations.
The Louvre’s security lapses have raised concerns about mass tourism impacts and infrastructure limitations at the museum. Authorities are now focusing on preventing similar security lapses by monitoring surveillance permit validity across institutions. However, the process of overhauling security measures is expected to be gradual and disruptive. There are fears that the stolen jewels may have already been dismantled, underscoring the urgency of enhancing security protocols to safeguard France’s cultural heritage.