French police have arrested five additional suspects in connection with the €88 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, bringing the total number of individuals detained to seven. The stolen royal jewels — which once belonged to French queens — have not yet been recovered.
Expanding Investigation
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests on RTL Radio on Thursday, describing them as “persons who may be able to provide us with information about how these events unfolded.” The coordinated arrests took place across multiple locations in Paris on Wednesday night.
The dramatic theft, which occurred on October 19, involved a smash-and-grab raid on the Apollon Gallery, where the priceless royal jewels were displayed. The robbers are believed to have entered the museum through an upper-floor window, carrying out the burglary in broad daylight — an audacious act that has stunned the global art world and raised questions about museum security.
Main Suspects and Charges
The first two suspects, detained last weekend, have been formally charged with aggravated theft and criminal conspiracy and are being held in pre-trial detention. Beccuau said both men have partially admitted their involvement in the heist.
One suspect is a 34-year-old Algerian man arrested at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave the country. The other, a 39-year-old French national from Aubervilliers, was apprehended near his home. Both men reportedly have prior criminal records related to theft.
Beccuau stated that more than 150 DNA traces were recovered from the crime scene, giving investigators a strong forensic basis for pursuing additional leads.
The Missing Jewels and Parallel Markets
Despite the arrests, the royal gems remain missing. Investigators believe the jewels may have already entered illegal art and luxury goods markets. “This office is currently examining the entire legal market for works of art,” Beccuau said. “There are also a number of parallel markets that our experts know how to explore, and there too we remain vigilant.”
The prosecutor praised the investigation’s “major advances” but emphasized that recovering the jewels is still a top priority. “I want to keep hope that they will be found and returned to the Louvre museum and, more broadly, to the country,” she added.
Stolen Van and Ongoing Leads
Police also discovered that the van used in the burglary had been stolen on October 10 from the town of Louvres, northeast of Paris — just days before the heist.
The Louvre, one of the world’s most visited museums, was closed for two days following the robbery as authorities conducted a detailed security review. It has since reopened, though the incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of security protocols for high-value exhibits.
Potential Penalties
Those charged face up to 15 years in prison for organized theft and 10 years for criminal association, in addition to substantial fines.
As the manhunt continues, French authorities remain under pressure to recover the stolen jewels — not only to restore national pride but also to reinforce public confidence in the security of the country’s most revered cultural institution.
