PARIS (AP) – Four suspects involved in the recent heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris have been charged and detained. This group includes three individuals believed to have forcibly entered the museum, from which they allegedly stole crown jewels valued at approximately $102 million. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau highlighted the connections among the suspects, noting that two of them had previously been convicted in a related theft case in 2015, and all are residents of northern suburbs of Paris.
Authorities confirmed that the stolen jewelry has not yet been recovered. Meanwhile, the investigation remains active as officials not only seek to apprehend the fourth suspect, who remains at large, but also look for those who may have orchestrated the crime. Due to French law designed to protect the integrity of investigations, specific details about the suspects, including their identities, have not been disclosed to avoid compromising police work.
One of the arrested suspects is a 34-year-old Algerian national living in France since 2010. He is suspected of being one of the thieves who accessed the Apollo Gallery armed with disc cutters to breach the display cases housing the jewels. He was apprehended on October 25, just six days after the heist, at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to fly to Algeria. His DNA was found on a scooter linked to the getaway. Known to police primarily for traffic violations and one theft, he stated that he is currently unemployed but previously worked as a garbage collector and delivery man. He now faces preliminary charges including theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy.
The second suspect, a 39-year-old man, was also arrested on October 25 in Aubervilliers, his birthplace. He is thought to be the accomplice who entered the Apollo Gallery alongside the Algerian national. DNA evidence connected him to the crime scene, being found on the display cases and items left behind by the thieves. Known for previous thefts, the 39-year-old is facing separate charges related to a trial for damaging a mirror and door while in custody related to another theft investigation. Allegedly working as an illegal taxi driver, he too faces preliminary charges of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy.
Both men reportedly provided minimal statements during their interrogations, with partial admissions of involvement in the Louvre heist.
In addition, a 37-year-old man was detained ten days after the heist. Believed to be the third member of the group, he arrived at the Louvre utilizing a lift truck disguised as renovation workers. Following the crime, he and his accomplices fled the scene on two scooters. DNA evidence was found inside the lift basket he allegedly operated. He, too, denied any involvement in the heist and has a criminal history with 11 convictions, 10 of which relate to theft. Notably, he was already convicted in the 2015 theft case together with the second suspect mentioned. He faces similar preliminary charges.
The final suspect, a 38-year-old woman, was also arrested on the same day as the 37-year-old. She is known as the long-time partner of this suspect, and they share children. Residing in La Courneuve, another suburb of Paris, she has denied having any involvement in the theft, according to her lawyer. Yet, a trace of her DNA was found on the basket lift, although Beccuau mentioned the possibility of "DNA transfer," meaning any DNA found could have been transferred via items handled by others. She faces charges of complicity in theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy.
