Two men arrested on suspicion of stealing €88m (£76m) worth of crown jewels from the Louvre in Paris have partially admitted their role in the heist, but police remain no closer to recovering the gems. The suspects, who were arrested last Saturday night, would face up to 25 years in prison if charged with organised theft and criminal conspiracy.
The two men, aged 34 and 39, are believed to be the men who entered the Apollo gallery and smashed display cases to steal the treasures, including a diamond and emerald-studded crown once owned by Napoleon’s wife. Their DNA was found on a display case and a scooter used in the getaway.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that the jewels “are not in our possession” but appealed to the thieves to return them, adding that anyone buying them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods. The police have been working around the clock to recover the gems, with 100 investigators from France’s BRB organised crime squad and a unit specialising in trafficked artworks and cultural goods involved.
The heist lasted less than seven minutes and was carried out by a four-man gang who used stolen furniture removal truck and disguises to gain access. The suspects’ DNA has been linked to the display case and scooter, but police have not ruled out the possibility of more men being involved.
Security experts have highlighted the museum’s security shortcomings, with ageing systems and delays to planned upgrades blamed for the heist. The Louvre is set to transfer some precious jewels to the Bank of France as part of its €80m (£70m) security improvement programme.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/29/louvre-suspects-partially-admit-their-role-in-jewel-heist