The Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed that four additional suspects have been arrested as part of the investigation into last month's high-profile theft of precious jewellery at the Louvre Museum.
The arrested individuals, two men aged 38 and 39 and two women aged 31 and 40, are all residents of the Paris area and were apprehended on Tuesday. Among them is believed to be the last member of a gang of four responsible for the stunning daylight heist that took place on October 19, which netted jewellery worth a staggering €88 million ($102 million).
Authorities indicated that the thieves managed to evade detection and fled after only four minutes inside the museum, making their escape on scooters before switching to cars. To date, the stolen jewels have not been recovered.
This recent wave of arrests adds to the previous four individuals already charged, bringing the total to eight apprehended related to the heist. Charges for the previous suspects include complicity in organized theft and criminal conspiracy. Both partners in the earlier group maintain their innocence, with one suspect claiming they were misunderstood in their involvement.
The investigation has revealed that the gang utilized a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to breach access to the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony overlooking the River Seine. They scratched open display cases using a disc cutter, which aided them in their swift theft.
Louvre security has come under scrutiny following the heist, particularly as it was revealed that the sole camera overseeing the entry point was turned away from the thieves' entry point. The Louvre's president admitted to lapses in security but highlighted her ongoing efforts for better funding since taking office in 2021. In response to the heist, the museum has since transferred some of its most valuable jewellery pieces to the Bank of France for safekeeping.
As the investigation proceeds, local authorities continue to enhance security measures across France's cultural institutions.
