Paris authorities revealed that amateur thieves, rather than sophisticated criminal networks, executed the massive jewelry robbery at the Louvre museum last month. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau described the perpetrators as residents from Seine-Saint-Denis, an economically struggling district north of the capital, during a radio interview on Sunday. The October 19 theft resulted in the disappearance of items valued at 88 million euros from the internationally renowned institution.
Four individuals face charges connected to the crime. Two male defendants had prior records involving multiple theft offenses. A 38-year-old woman received charges on Saturday related to organized theft conspiracy, while a 37-year-old man faced similar accusations. Both suspects, who share a romantic relationship and have children, denied participation. Two additional men arrested earlier acknowledged partial involvement, though one participant remains at large.
The thieves entered at 9:30 a.m. using a stolen mechanical lift to reach the Gallery of Apollo through a balcony overlooking the Seine River. They spent four minutes cutting display cases with power tools before fleeing on scooters at 9:38 a.m., later switching to automobiles. Authorities recovered one dropped crown during the escape, but seven pieces remain missing. French cultural sites have strengthened protection protocols, and the Louvre transferred valuable items to the Bank of France for safekeeping.
Four individuals face charges connected to the crime. Two male defendants had prior records involving multiple theft offenses. A 38-year-old woman received charges on Saturday related to organized theft conspiracy, while a 37-year-old man faced similar accusations. Both suspects, who share a romantic relationship and have children, denied participation. Two additional men arrested earlier acknowledged partial involvement, though one participant remains at large.
The thieves entered at 9:30 a.m. using a stolen mechanical lift to reach the Gallery of Apollo through a balcony overlooking the Seine River. They spent four minutes cutting display cases with power tools before fleeing on scooters at 9:38 a.m., later switching to automobiles. Authorities recovered one dropped crown during the escape, but seven pieces remain missing. French cultural sites have strengthened protection protocols, and the Louvre transferred valuable items to the Bank of France for safekeeping.
