Louvre Heist: Two Arrested in Bold Daylight Theft of Crown Jewels

Thu Oct 30 2025 01:52:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a brazen daylight robbery, two suspects were arrested in connection with the theft of €88 million worth of crown jewels from the Louvre museum. Unfolding in broad daylight, this incident has raised serious concerns over museum security.

Two individuals have been detained following the daring theft of valuable crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris. The robbery, executed in broad daylight, resulted in the loss of items worth €88 million. One suspect was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport while preparing to flee, raising alarms over museum security protocols.

Two suspects have been arrested over the theft of precious crown jewels from Paris's Louvre museum, French media report.

The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed that one of the men was apprehended while preparing to board a flight at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Items worth €88 million (£76 million; $102 million) were taken from the world’s most-visited museum last Sunday, when four thieves armed with power tools broke in during daylight hours.

France's justice minister acknowledged that security protocols had 'failed', resulting in a 'terrible image' for the country.

The prosecutor's office stated that the arrests occurred on Saturday evening, although the exact number of detainees was not disclosed. Reports suggest one suspect intended to travel to Algeria, while another was headed for Mali. Specialist police are allowed to detain and interrogate suspects for up to 96 hours.

Dictionaries found at the scene helped identify one suspect, according to reports. The thieves left behind various items, including gloves and a high-visibility jacket. It was reported they dropped a crown that belonged to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

The prosecutor criticized early disclosures of information related to the case, stating it had hampered efforts to recover the stolen jewels and capture additional suspects.

The thieves struck just after the museum opened to the public, using a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access a balcony next to the River Seine, allowing them to enter the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo).

Witnesses noted that the gang was able to successfully cut through the window, threaten security guards, and dismantle two display cases containing jewelry within just four minutes before leaving the scene on scooters.

A preliminary report indicated that one in three rooms in the affected area lacked CCTV coverage. It was revealed that the only external camera pointed away from the area of the break-in, allowing the group to escape unnoticed for longer than needed.

As a precaution, the Louvre has transferred some of its most valuable treasures to the Bank of France, where they will be kept in a highly secure vault 26 meters below ground level.

Experts warn that the stolen jewels may have already been broken down, making them virtually impossible to trace. The incident has prompted heightened security measures at cultural institutions throughout France.