Four Apprehensions Made in Connection to Paris Louvre Museum Jewelry Theft
Four additional persons are now under arrest in the context of the continuing probe into the previous heist of valuable jewellery at the Paris Louvre, per reports from the Paris prosecutor's office.
Details of the Newest Apprehensions
A pair of males, aged 38 and 39, and a duo of females, aged 31 and 40, faced apprehension earlier this week. Each hails from the greater Paris area.
One of those detained is believed to be the remaining individual of a group of four that reportedly executed the daylight heist, as reported by French media. The other three suspected thieves are already in custody and indicted, officials say.
Police now have as much as 96 hours to interrogate the suspects. Zero evidence has to date been discovered of the stolen jewels - appraised at €88m (£76m; $102m) - which were stolen on October 19th.
Earlier Charges and Denials
Four people have previously faced charges over the heist - three male and one female suspects, who are likewise residents of the Paris region.
A woman in her late thirties was formally accused earlier in the month with complicity in organised theft and conspiracy to commit crimes aimed at perpetrating an offense.
In a distinct case, a 37-year-old male, was charged with robbery and illegal conspiracy.
These two suspects, who have not had their identities disclosed, have rejected all accusations.
How the Heist Was Carried Out
The robbery occurred when the team of four individuals employed a hijacked vehicle with a mounted lift to gain access to the Apollo Gallery by means of a balcony adjacent to the Seine.
The thieves utilized a circular saw to break into exhibition cases housing the jewellery.
The perpetrators stayed inside for four minutes and made their escape on a pair of scooters stationed outside at 09:38, before changing to vehicles.
One of the stolen items - a royal crown - was fallen in the flight but eight additional pieces of jewelry - including an emerald-and-diamond necklace that Emperor Napoleon presented to his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise - were stolen.
Protective Failures and Fallout
Authorities have indicated that the theft was performed by petty criminals as opposed to sophisticated criminal organizations.
Shortly after the theft, it was disclosed by the museum's director that the only camera observing the Galerie d'Apollon was facing opposite the balcony scaled by the robbers to commit the burglary.
The museum's president has subsequently acknowledged that the establishment had not fulfilled in its duties, but denied that security had been overlooked - stating that from the time she took office in the year 2021 she had been consistently alerting of the requirement for additional resources.
Improved Protective Steps
In the wake of the robbery, security measures have been strengthened for French heritage sites.
The Louvre has transferred some of its most precious jewels to the national bank in the aftermath of the robbery.