Trendpills
French authorities have taken five more suspects into custody in connection with the audacious jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, bringing a potential breakthrough to an investigation that has captivated Paris. Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests occurred during coordinated raids in the Paris region on Wednesday night. The brazen theft saw items valued at approximately €88 million (about $102 million) stolen from the museum's famed Apollo Gallery.
Among the newly detained is a man believed to be one of the four perpetrators who carried out the brazen October 19 heist. According to Beccuau, DNA evidence linked the suspect to the crime scene. This arrest means three of the four primary thieves are now in custody, with two having been arrested earlier and having "partially recognised" their involvement, as reported by French media. Investigators hope the other individuals recently taken into custody will provide crucial information about the operation and the whereabouts of the stolen jewels.
The daylight robbery stunned the art world with its daring execution. The four-man team used a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to a balcony of the Apollo Gallery, which overlooks the River Seine. Once inside, they used power tools to smash display cases and seize the precious jewels. The entire operation was a meticulously planned smash-and-grab that tested the security of one of the world's most guarded cultural institutions.
Despite the significant progress in apprehending the culprits, the primary goal of the investigation—recovering the priceless collection—remains unfulfilled. None of the stolen items have been found. The prosecutor's office has expressed hope that the latest developments will lead investigators to the missing jewels. In the early stages of the case, officials had criticized premature leaks to the media, stating that such disclosures were hampering efforts to locate the stolen treasures and the thieves. With more key figures now in custody, authorities are intensifying their search for the missing pieces of French heritage.
