LONDON — French authorities have arrested two men in connection with last week’s major Louvre Museum heist, which saw priceless jewels stolen from the Paris landmark’s Apollo Gallery, officials confirmed to the media.
According to the French National Police, one suspect was detained at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Saturday night while attempting to board a flight to Algeria. Details surrounding the second suspect’s arrest have not yet been disclosed.
Both men, identified as residents of Seine-Saint-Denis, a northeastern suburb of Paris, are believed to be part of the group responsible for the meticulously planned robbery.
How the Louvre Museum Heist Unfolded
Authorities say the theft took place on the morning of October 19, just before the Louvre opened to the public. The thieves used what police described as a “mobile freight elevator” outfitted with a metal ladder to access a second-floor window of the Apollo Gallery, home to France’s most prized royal treasures.
Once inside, the suspects allegedly smashed two display cases—one containing the Napoleon jewels and another housing the French crown jewels—using an angle grinder.
Among the stolen items were crowns, necklaces, earrings, and brooches, some of which once belonged to Emperor Napoleon and Empress Joséphine.
Estimated Loss: $102 Million in Historical Jewels
Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau estimated the total value of the stolen artifacts at around $102 million, describing the heist as one of the most significant cultural thefts in recent French history.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, overseeing the investigation alongside the Justice Ministry, called the operation “simple, but spectacular,” adding that the theft represented an attack on France’s shared cultural legacy.
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Macron Condemns the Crime as an ‘Attack on Heritage’
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Louvre Museum heist, calling it an “attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our history.” He vowed that French authorities would pursue the culprits “without rest” until every stolen piece is recovered.
Police said the suspects fled the scene on two motorbikes, weaving through central Paris streets before being last seen speeding southeast along Highway A6 toward Lyon.
Investigation Still Underway
The arrests mark a breakthrough in a nationwide manhunt, but authorities caution that several suspects remain at large. Investigators are analyzing security footage and digital communications to trace the stolen jewels and identify additional accomplices.
Police have not yet confirmed whether any of the Napoleon-era artifacts have been recovered.
