A Fresh Set of Detentions Made in Relation to Paris Louvre Museum Jewelry Theft
Four additional suspects were taken into custody as part of the continuing probe into the last month's heist of precious jewelry at the Louvre Museum, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.
Details of the Newest Detentions
Two male suspects, 38 and 39 years old, and two female individuals, in their early thirties and forties, were arrested on Tuesday. They all reside in the Île-de-France region.
Included in this group is considered as the remaining individual of a four-man gang that allegedly carried out the daylight heist, per French media. The other three suspected thieves were previously detained and indicted, officials say.
Law enforcement has been granted up to 96 hours to interrogate the suspects. No trace has yet been uncovered of the stolen jewels - valued at 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which disappeared on the nineteenth of October.
Prior Accusations and Disavowals
Four people have previously faced charges in relation to the robbery - three men and a woman, who also live in the Paris region.
A woman in her late thirties was indicted in recent weeks with aiding organized theft and conspiracy to commit crimes aimed at perpetrating an offense.
Additionally, one male suspect, 37 years old, was indicted for theft and criminal conspiracy.
These two suspects, who have not been named publicly, have disavowed any participation.
How the Heist 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 through a terrace near the Seine River.
The thieves utilized a cutting disc to break into display cases containing the jewelry.
The thieves were inside for four minutes and made their escape on a pair of scooters stationed outside at 09:38, before transferring to automobiles.
One taken artifact - a crown - was lost during the getaway but eight additional pieces of jewellery - including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Emperor Napoleon presented to his empress, the Empress Marie-Louise - were taken.
Safeguarding Shortcomings and Aftermath
It has been stated that the robbery was executed by small-time offenders instead of sophisticated criminal organizations.
Soon following the robbery, it was disclosed by the museum's director that the only camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was directed away from the balcony scaled by the robbers to commit the burglary.
The president of the Louvre has later confessed that the establishment had not fulfilled in its obligations, but disputed allegations of security being ignored - stating that from the moment of her appointment in the year 2021 she had been warning constantly of the requirement for additional resources.
Improved Safeguarding Protocols
Since the incident, protective protocols have been tightened around the nation's cultural landmarks.
The museum has moved a selection of its most valuable gems to the Bank of France following the heist.