Police in Paris have apprehended five additional suspects in connection with the theft of valuable treasures worth $143 million from the Apollo gallery at the Louvre museum. The heist, carried out by four masked thieves during museum hours, raised concerns about security at the renowned institution. The latest arrests, made during coordinated raids in Paris and its suburbs, were aided by DNA evidence found at the crime scene, although the exact roles of all suspects remain unclear.
Authorities have intensified their investigation by analyzing encrypted communications retrieved from phones and other items seized from the suspects. In France, suspects can be detained for up to 96 hours without charges during criminal conspiracy inquiries. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau emphasized the search for the stolen artifacts, highlighting the potential use of the jewels in money laundering or organized crime activities.
Despite the arrests, locating the missing jewels poses a significant challenge, as experts caution that the stolen royal pieces, which include necklaces, tiaras, and earrings adorned with thousands of precious stones, may be difficult to sell in their original form. The items could be dismantled, with the gemstones recut and the gold melted down to conceal their origins.
Beccuau urged anyone in possession of the stolen treasures to surrender them, emphasizing that the courts would consider the lack of loss resulting from the burglary. A previous attempt to flee the country by one suspect, a 34-year-old Algerian national, was thwarted as he tried to board a flight to Algeria. Meanwhile, investigations continue into the involvement of a broader network, potentially including individuals who orchestrated the heist. The Louvre’s security measures have been scrutinized following the incident, prompting the transfer of some valuable items to the Bank of France for safekeeping.
