A Fresh Set of Detentions Carried Out in Relation to Louvre Jewellery Robbery
Four additional individuals are now under arrest within the framework of the active inquiry into the previous theft of precious jewelry at the Louvre Museum, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.
Specifics of the Most Recent Arrests
A pair of males, aged 38 and 39, and two female individuals, aged 31 and 40, were arrested on Tuesday. All are from the Île-de-France region.
Among them is considered as the final member of a four-man gang that allegedly carried out the daylight heist, per media sources in France. The additional three accused perpetrators are already in custody and charged, according to officials.
Law enforcement has been granted as much as 96 hours to conduct interviews. Not a single clue has so far been found of the pilfered gems - worth an estimated 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which disappeared on the nineteenth of October.
Previous Accusations and Denials
Four people have already been charged over the heist - three male and one female suspects, who similarly reside within the Parisian area.
One female, aged 38 was indicted in recent weeks with aiding organized theft and criminal conspiracy intended to carry out unlawful acts.
Separately, a 37-year-old male, was charged with stealing and conspiratorial activities.
Both of these individuals, who have not been named publicly, have disavowed any participation.
The Way the Theft Was Carried Out
The heist happened when the quartet of male perpetrators utilized a stolen mechanical lift attached to a vehicle to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine.
The thieves utilized a disc cutter to force open showcases housing the jewellery.
The thieves were inside for just 240 seconds and fled the scene on two motor scooters stationed outside at 09:38, before transferring to automobiles.
One of the stolen items - an imperial crown - was fallen in the flight but eight additional pieces of jewellery - featuring an emerald and diamond necklace that was gifted by Napoleon I his second wife, the Empress Marie-Louise - were taken.
Security Deficiencies and Aftermath
Authorities have indicated that the robbery was executed by minor lawbreakers instead of sophisticated criminal organizations.
In the immediate aftermath of the heist, it was disclosed by the museum's director that the sole surveillance camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was directed away from the balcony scaled by the robbers to gain entry.
The president of the Louvre has subsequently acknowledged that the institution had fallen short in its obligations, but denied that security had been overlooked - emphasizing that from the time she took office in 2021 she had been repeatedly cautioning of the need for more investment.
Strengthened Protective Steps
Following the event, protective protocols have been enhanced at France's cultural institutions.
The Louvre has transferred some of its most precious jewels to the national bank after the theft.