🔗 Share this article

A further quartet of persons have been detained as part of the ongoing investigation into the recent heist of precious jewelry at the Louvre Museum, as stated by the Paris prosecutor's office.

Details of the Latest Arrests

Two male suspects, in their late thirties, and two women, in their early thirties and forties, were taken into custody this Tuesday. Each hails from the greater Paris area.

Included in this group is believed to be the last participant of a quartet of thieves that allegedly carried out the daytime theft, according to media sources in France. The additional three alleged robbers were previously detained and charged, according to officials.

Investigators currently possess up to 96 hours to conduct interviews. Zero evidence has yet been uncovered of the pilfered gems - appraised at 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which were stolen on October 19th.

Earlier Charges and Denials

Four people have previously faced charges concerning the theft - three men and a woman, who also live in the Parisian area.

One female, aged 38 was charged earlier this month with involvement in organized robbery and conspiracy to commit crimes with a view to committing a crime.

Additionally, a 37-year-old male, was accused of robbery and illegal conspiracy.

These two suspects, who have not been named publicly, have rejected all accusations.

The Way the Theft Took Place

The theft took place when the team of four individuals employed a hijacked vehicle with a mounted lift to breach the Galerie d'Apollon through a terrace adjacent to the Seine.

The thieves utilized a disc cutter to crack open exhibition cases housing the jewellery.

The robbers remained within for four minutes and executed their getaway on two motor scooters positioned externally at 09:38, before switching to cars.

One of the stolen items - a crown - was lost during the getaway but eight more objects of jewelry - featuring an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his empress, Marie-Louise of Austria - were stolen.

Protective Shortcomings and Aftermath

Authorities have indicated that the theft was performed by small-time offenders rather than sophisticated criminal organizations.

In the immediate aftermath of the heist, it was revealed by the Louvre's director that the single monitoring device observing the Galerie d'Apollon was directed away from the terrace used by the perpetrators to commit the burglary.

The museum's president has later confessed that the museum had failed in its obligations, but denied that security had been overlooked - saying that from the time she took office in the year 2021 she had been warning constantly of the need for more investment.

Enhanced Safeguarding Protocols

In the wake of the robbery, protective protocols have been enhanced at French heritage sites.

The Louvre has transferred some of its most precious jewels to the national bank in the aftermath of the robbery.