Louvre Jewel Heist: Seven Arrested, Stolen Crown Jewels Still Missing
Seven suspects are now arrested in connection with the Louvre jewel heist, where 88 million euros worth of French crown jewels were stolen. The valuable gems remain unrecovered.
5 more arrests made in Louvre jewel heist
Associated Press
2 Louvre heist suspects ‘partially’ admit involvement: prosecutor
New York Daily News
Overview
- Five more suspects were arrested late Wednesday in the Paris area, bringing the total to seven in connection with the Louvre jewel heist, following initial arrests.
- Eight pieces of French crown jewels, valued at 88 million euros ($102 million), were stolen from the Louvre's Apollo Gallery on October 19 using power tools.
- Two suspects have partially admitted to charges of theft and conspiracy, with two team members specifically charged with criminal conspiracy and theft by an organized gang.
- Despite extensive searches, the stolen jewels, including items given by Napoleon I, have not been recovered and are believed to be unsellable, likely destined for dismantling.
- DNA evidence identified one new suspect as part of the four-person team that executed the Louvre heist in under eight minutes, amidst expired security camera authorization.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Louvre heist investigation neutrally, focusing on factual updates from the Paris prosecutor. They report on the arrests, DNA evidence, and admissions without injecting editorial opinion or loaded language. The coverage prioritizes official statements and the progression of the police inquiry, maintaining an objective tone throughout the report.
"The new suspects can be detained for up to four days before being charged or released."
BBC News"The heist exposed security lapses at the world's most-visited museum and was seen by many as a cause for national humiliation."
USA TODAY"The treasures remain missing, the Paris prosecutor announced Thursday."
CBS News"Five new suspects have been arrested in connection with the Louvre heist in Paris, officials said Thursday, though the jewels themselves remain missing."
NBC News"French police have acknowledged major gaps in the Louvre’s defenses, turning the dazzling daylight theft into a national reckoning over how France protects its treasures."
Associated Press"News of the robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's lapses in security."
USA TODAY"Security measures have been tightened around France's cultural institutions following the heist."
BBC News"Experts have told CBS News the elaborate pieces of jewelry may have already been broken down into their component parts, greatly diminishing their value, and they may never be found."
CBS NewsArticles (18)
Center (8)
FAQ
The stolen items included the tiara, necklace, and an earring from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amalie and Queen Hortense; the emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise's set; and the tiara, large bodice bow, and crown (which was later recovered, but damaged) of Empress Eugénie. These pieces are part of France's national heritage, with several items tracing back to royal figures such as Napoleon I and Empress Eugénie, reflecting both immense monetary and historical value[1].
The stolen jewels are valued at approximately €88 million. Notably, several other significant diamonds—such as the Regent (valued at €51 million alone), the Sancy, and the Hortensia—were left untouched by the thieves, suggesting the robbers may have specifically targeted these historical pieces rather than the most valuable individual gemstones[1].
As of now, the stolen jewels remain unrecovered. Authorities believe the items may be unsellable due to their unique historical significance and high profile, and are concerned the thieves may instead dismantle the pieces for their raw gemstones—a common fate for stolen crown jewels of this nature. Extensive searches have not yet yielded results.
The thieves used power tools to access the Apollo Gallery, taking advantage of expired security camera authorizations, which may have temporarily blinded or delayed surveillance systems. The heist was executed in under eight minutes, highlighting both the planning involved and potential gaps in the Louvre's security measures at the time.
Seven suspects are now in custody, with two having partially admitted to charges of theft and conspiracy, and two specifically charged with criminal conspiracy and theft by an organized gang. The arrests, including five made recently in the Paris area, indicate an ongoing investigation, but the extent of cooperation and the strength of the evidence—such as DNA linking a suspect to the heist—has not been fully detailed publicly.
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