Heist at the Louvre: Two Arrested for Jewel Theft

Sun Dec 07 2025 05:04:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Two suspects have been apprehended following a daring theft of crown jewels at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Details of the incident and the suspects' attempts to flee are emerging.

The Louvre Museum in Paris was the scene of a bold daylight theft that left valuable crown jewels worth €88 million stolen. Two suspects have been arrested, including one who was about to board a flight. As investigations continue, concerns over museum security protocols are at the forefront. Third-party experts suggest the stolen jewels may have already been dismantled.

Two suspects have been arrested over the theft of priceless crown jewels from Paris's renowned Louvre museum, according to French media reports.

The Paris prosecutor's office revealed that one suspect was detained while attempting to board a flight at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Last Sunday, thieves wielding power tools executed a bold heist in broad daylight, making off with items valued at approximately €88 million (£76 million; $102 million) from the world's most-visited museum.

The incident raises serious concerns about security protocols at the museum, which France's justice minister has criticized, admitting the system 'failed' and resulted in a 'terrible image' for the country.

Details from the arrest indicate that one suspect was planning to flee to Algeria while the other was headed for Mali. Police sources reported that DNA evidence collected at the scene led to the identification of one of the suspects.

The gang apparently left behind gloves and high-visibility jackets, and circumstantial evidence, including a dropped crown dating back to Empress Eugenie, raised alarms regarding their meticulous planning.

The heist occurred shortly after the museum opened at 09:30, as the thieves escalated to threatening guards and cutting through display cases housing the jewels within four minutes, escaping via scooters at 09:38.

Notably, a report highlighted that one in three rooms in the area had no CCTV cameras, which hampered efforts to prevent the robbery. Post-heist, experts are worried that the stolen items could be broken into pieces for easier disposal, making their recovery increasingly challenging.

In response to the theft, the Louvre has transferred its most precious jewels to the Bank of France, securing them underground to prevent any further incidents.