French authorities have made five more arrests in connection with the daring heist of the Louvre's crown jewels, but the stolen treasures remain at large. The latest suspects were apprehended during separate police operations in Paris and its surrounding areas, including Seine-Saint-Denis region.
According to Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, one of the arrested individuals is suspected of being part of the four-person gang that stole the jewels from the Apollo Gallery on October 19th, in a brazen daylight robbery. The gang had been given just under eight minutes to carry out the heist, making off with eight pieces of French crown jewels valued at $102 million.
Two other suspects were arrested earlier this week and have admitted to their involvement, according to Beccuau. One of those arrested was a 34-year-old Algerian national who had been living in France since 2010, but was known mostly for road traffic offenses. His DNA was found on one of the scooters used by the thieves to flee the scene.
The investigation has revealed significant gaps in the Louvre's security measures, which have sparked a national debate over how France protects its cultural treasures. The Paris prosecutor made an appeal to anyone with information about the stolen jewels: "These jewels are now unsellable... Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods."
So far, no accomplices within the museum's staff have been identified, and police have warned that any attempts to sell or trade the stolen items will result in prosecution. The investigation is ongoing, with Beccuau urging anyone with information to come forward.
The brazen daylight robbery at the Louvre has raised questions about the security of France's cultural institutions and the measures needed to prevent such heists in the future. As authorities continue their pursuit of those responsible, the fate of the stolen jewels remains uncertain.
According to Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, one of the arrested individuals is suspected of being part of the four-person gang that stole the jewels from the Apollo Gallery on October 19th, in a brazen daylight robbery. The gang had been given just under eight minutes to carry out the heist, making off with eight pieces of French crown jewels valued at $102 million.
Two other suspects were arrested earlier this week and have admitted to their involvement, according to Beccuau. One of those arrested was a 34-year-old Algerian national who had been living in France since 2010, but was known mostly for road traffic offenses. His DNA was found on one of the scooters used by the thieves to flee the scene.
The investigation has revealed significant gaps in the Louvre's security measures, which have sparked a national debate over how France protects its cultural treasures. The Paris prosecutor made an appeal to anyone with information about the stolen jewels: "These jewels are now unsellable... Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods."
So far, no accomplices within the museum's staff have been identified, and police have warned that any attempts to sell or trade the stolen items will result in prosecution. The investigation is ongoing, with Beccuau urging anyone with information to come forward.
The brazen daylight robbery at the Louvre has raised questions about the security of France's cultural institutions and the measures needed to prevent such heists in the future. As authorities continue their pursuit of those responsible, the fate of the stolen jewels remains uncertain.