Two men were arrested following a daring Louvre heist that stole jewellery worth about £76 million, including a royal French crown fragment.
Arrests Following the Louvre Heist
Two men were arrested in connection with the Louvre robbery, during which thieves stole jewellery worth about £76 million (≈ €88 million), including a fragment of French royal jewels. According to Le Parisien, both detainees are from the Seine‑Saint‑Denis suburb region. One was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave the country for Algeria; the other was taken into custody that evening in the Paris area. Police launched the operation immediately after investigators, who had been monitoring the suspects for days, discovered one was preparing to flee abroad. Both men are currently in temporary detention pending an investigation into an “organized theft” and “membership in a criminal organisation.” They may be held for up to 96 hours. No part of the stolen jewellery has been recovered yet.
Prosecutor Criticises Leak
Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests on Saturday 25 October but sharply criticised that the information had leaked before the official statement. “I am deeply sorry for the hasty disclosure of this information by insiders, regardless of the investigation’s good interests,” she said. “This action can only harm the work of the hundreds of investigators involved in searching for the stolen jewels and all perpetrators.” Beccuau warned that revealing investigation details now could hamper further operational actions and allow the gang to wipe traces. She said she would provide more information after the detention period of the suspects concludes.
Interior Minister Demands Confidentiality
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised officers for their “unbreakable work” but reminded that the investigation must respect confidentiality rules. In a social‑media post he thanked staff working day and night to recover the priceless jewels. The investigation is led by a police unit specialised in organised crime. Officers are analysing surveillance footage from around the museum and tracking possible links between the detainees and international criminal groups.
Details of the Daring Louvre Heist
The theft occurred last Sunday morning when criminals used a cargo container mounted on a truck to enter through a window into the Apollo Gallery. In just eight minutes they smashed display cases and stole eight priceless items, including necklaces with sapphires and emeralds and a brooch studded with 2 438 diamonds. The ninth item, a green emerald crown worn by Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, was recovered but damaged. According to French media, thieves fled the scene on motorcycles; the museum was immediately evacuated and closed to investigators. The Louvre, one of the world’s most visited museums, attracting up to 30 000 visitors daily, reopened only a few days later.
