Two Arrested After Louvre Crown-Jewels Heist

Two men arrested in connection with the Oct. 19 Louvre heist have partially admitted involvement and face preliminary charges of theft by an organised gang and criminal conspiracy; they were detained after arrests at Charles de Gaulle airport and in Aubervilliers and are to be presented to judges. Investigators say the daylight raid involved four thieves who used a stolen removal truck with an extending ladder, wore hi‑vis vests to pose as maintenance workers, smashed an upstairs Apollo Gallery window, cut display cases with power tools and fled on motorbikes in under eight minutes. The gang seized eight crown-jewel pieces — historic Napoleonic items including a pearl- and diamond-studded diadem and an emerald-and-diamond necklace — valued at about €88 million ($102 million); the items are not in police custody, one was dropped and recovered, and prosecutors warned the jewels are “clearly unsellable” though there is still time to return them. Investigators, who have analysed DNA from scooters, display glass and items left at the scene and mobilised more than 100 personnel, say two suspects remain at large. The heist has prompted national criticism of the Louvre's security — citing ageing analogue cameras, a lapsed operating authorisation and slow modernisation — and authorities continue to pursue leads while the suspects face heavy potential sentences if formally charged and convicted.