Seven Arrested in Louvre Heist; Crown Recovered

French authorities arrested five more people overnight in the probe of the Oct. 19 daylight Apollo Gallery theft, bringing the total in custody to seven and including a suspect identified by DNA believed to have been part of the four‑person “commando” that stole the crown jewels. Investigators say the thieves used a stolen truck‑mounted lift and power tools to breach a window, slice display cases and flee on scooters in a brazen under‑eight‑minute raid. Eight pieces valued at roughly €88 million ($102 million) remain missing, but Empress Eugénie’s damaged crown has been recovered so far. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau warned the items are effectively unsellable and experts fear the gold and stones could be melted or re‑cut to hide their origins. Two earlier suspects have been charged with theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy after partial confessions, and forensic teams have analyzed about 150 samples and sealed 189 items. Searches continue across Paris and Seine‑Saint‑Denis as police hunt the remaining suspect and the missing jewels while the case prompts scrutiny of the Louvre’s security.