Background on the Louvre Heist
On October 19, a group of four men infiltrated the Louvre Museum in Paris during daylight, stealing jewels from the French royal crown valued at approximately $102 million within minutes. The incident has sparked a series of arrests and legal proceedings.
Initial Arrests and Charges
Initially, French authorities announced the arrest of two suspects. However, this week, the prosecutor’s office reported the detention of five additional individuals, including a suspected perpetrator.
Among those arrested, one individual was released without charges on Friday, according to their lawyers, Sofia Bougrine and Noemie Gorin. Meanwhile, another suspect was charged with complicity in organized crime and criminal association.
The Implicated Woman
This implicated woman, a 38-year-old resident of the Paris suburb of La Courneuve, will appear before a judge on Saturday to have her detention evaluated by the prosecution. The fiscalía has not specified the total number of suspects brought before the Paris court.
Charges and Details of Detained Suspects
The first two detainees were accused of robbery and criminal conspiracy and imprisoned after partially admitting to the charges, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
- An Algerian resident of France, 34, whose DNA was found on one of the getaway motorcycles.
- An unlicensed taxi driver, 39, from the suburb of Aubervilliers, north of Paris.
The thieves gained access to the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, using a forklift placed on public roadways. They then used a disc grinder to break the display cases containing the jewels and fled on two motorcycles driven by accomplices.
Stolen Items and Damage
Among the stolen items are a pearl tiara once owned by Empress Eugénie and a zafir necklace and earrings that belonged to Queen María Amelia.
During their escape, the thieves dropped a crown that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The crown sustained damage and its restoration is expected to be “delicate.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the suspects? The suspects include five men and one woman, with ages ranging from 34 to 38. They come from diverse backgrounds, including residency in Paris and its suburbs.
- What charges have been brought against them? Two suspects were initially charged with robbery and criminal conspiracy. One of these suspects was released without charges, while another was charged with complicity in organized crime and criminal association. The remaining suspects’ charges are still under investigation.
- What items were stolen? The thieves made off with a pearl tiara once owned by Empress Eugénie, a zafir necklace and earrings that belonged to Queen María Amelia, and a damaged crown from Empress Eugénie’s collection.
- How did the thieves gain access to the Louvre? The thieves used a forklift placed on public roadways to enter the museum. They then broke display cases with a disc grinder and fled on motorcycles driven by accomplices.
