Two suspects arrested after the $102 million Louvre Museum heist. [Photo: Reuters]
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the daring theft of priceless jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The arrests came exactly a week after the brazen heist that shocked France and the global art world.
According to AFP, police detained one suspect around 10 p.m. on Saturday at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, just as he was about to board an international flight. The second suspect was arrested shortly afterwards in the Paris region.
Authorities believe both men are part of the group responsible for stealing royal jewels valued at over $102 million. Investigators said the suspects are now being questioned by the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB) — a special Paris police unit that handles high-profile robberies.
The robbery took place last Sunday while the museum was open to the public. Using a crane, the thieves smashed an upstairs window and entered the building unnoticed. Within minutes, they broke open glass display cases and took eight rare pieces of royal jewellery, including crowns, necklaces, and earrings.
The robbers then escaped on motorbikes, sparking a massive nationwide manhunt. A new video released earlier this week showed the suspects wearing construction uniforms and using a hydraulic lift to make their escape. Another clip showed a thief cutting through the glass case while tourists walked by, unaware of the unfolding crime.
The stolen items span two centuries of French royal history. They include:
Although Empress Eugénie’s crown was stolen, police later recovered it after the thieves abandoned it while fleeing.
France’s Ministry of Culture described the stolen jewels as “priceless in heritage value.” Art historian Didier Rykner told AFP, “They are invaluable in terms of heritage. However, their price can be assessed.”
Most of the stolen pieces were acquired by the Louvre in the last four decades and were displayed in the museum’s royal collection, which draws thousands of visitors daily.
The Louvre heist has reignited concerns about museum security and the black-market trade in stolen art. Experts warn that such high-profile thefts often lead to pieces being dismantled and sold separately, making recovery nearly impossible.
With the Louvre welcoming over 30,000 visitors a day, authorities are reviewing surveillance protocols to prevent similar crimes. The museum’s star attractions — the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace — remain heavily guarded.
Police say the investigation continues as they track possible accomplices and networks that may be involved in the international art trade.
