French authorities have arrested five people, including the main suspect, in connection with the high-profile jewelry theft at the Louver Museum earlier this month. The arrests come nearly two weeks after four thieves carried out a daring daylight robbery, stealing treasures worth an estimated $102 million.
Officials said on Thursday (October 30) that the arrests were made across different parts of Paris, mainly in the Seine-Saint-Denis area. Despite the breakthrough, police have not yet recovered any of the stolen jewelry.
DNA Links Main Suspect to the Louver Robbery
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that investigators identified the prime suspect through DNA evidence. “The DNA found at the scene of the crime directly links the main suspect to the robbery,” Beccuau said in a statement.
The arrests were made on Wednesday following a large-scale operation by Paris police. Two other suspects, detained earlier over the weekend, have already been charged with theft and criminal conspiracy. They admitted partial involvement in the heist and are now in pre-trial detention.
Authorities believe the arrested suspects could provide crucial details about how the crime was planned and executed.
The Bold Daylight Heist
The theft took place on the morning of October 19 at the Louver Museum, one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks. Around 9:30 am, a gang of four masked thieves arrived in a truck equipped with a hydraulic lift. Using the lift, they accessed the museum’s first-floor Galerie d’Apollon — a hall famous for displaying the Crown Jewels of France.
Photos taken after the robbery showed a ladder propped against a window overlooking the River Seine. Police said two of the suspects cut through the window using power tools, gaining entry within minutes.
Priceless Jewels Among the Stolen Items
Once inside, the thieves threatened security guards and smashed two display cases containing some of the museum’s most valuable items. Among the stolen treasures were:
- An emerald-and-diamond necklace was once gifted by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise.
- A diamond-studded diadem that belonged to Empress Eugénie, encrusted with nearly 2,000 diamonds.
The robbers reportedly acted with precision, spending just four minutes inside before escaping on two scooters parked nearby. Police said the suspects fled at around 9:38 am, leaving behind only minor damage to the museum.
Security Gaps Exposed
The investigation revealed serious gaps in the museum’s security system. According to a preliminary report cited by French media, nearly one-third of the rooms in the targeted area did not have CCTV cameras.
The lack of full surveillance coverage, combined with the gang’s professional planning, allowed them to escape undetected. Authorities are now reviewing the museum’s security protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
Investigation Continues
Paris prosecutor Beccuau said the investigation is still in its early stages. Police are now focusing on tracing the missing jewelry, which may have already been moved out of France or dismantled for resale.
Beccuau added that “interrogations and forensic examinations are ongoing” and that “further arrests cannot be ruled out.”
Interpol has also been alerted, given the possibility that the stolen jewels could surface in international black markets.
A Heist That Shocked France
The Louver heist has sparked outrage and disbelief across France, both for its boldness and for the scale of losses. The theft of royal jewels linked to French history has reignited concerns about museum security in Europe.
Experts have compared the incident to some of the most notorious museum heists in modern history, including the 2019 Dresden Green Vault robbery in Germany, where priceless treasures were stolen in a similar high-speed operation.
As the hunt for the missing jewels continues, the arrests mark a major step forward for French investigators. Yet, with none of the treasures recovered so far, the mystery of the Louver Museum heist remains unsolved.
