Louvre Heist: Two Arrests Made, Thieves Made Off with $100 Million Worth of Treasures

French authorities have made two arrests in connection with the recent daylight heist at the world's most-visited museum, the Louvre. The thieves, who were inside the museum for less than four minutes, stole eight objects, including a sapphire diadem, a necklace, and a single earring from a set linked to 19th-century French queens. The value of the stolen items is estimated to be over $100 million, but Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau notes that the historical value to France is immeasurable. The investigation is ongoing, with about 100 investigators involved in the police hunt for the suspects and gems.

Key Takeaways:

• Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the Louvre heist, with one suspect preparing to leave the country from Roissy Airport.
• The thieves made off with eight objects, including a sapphire diadem, a necklace, and a single earring from a set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense.
• The investigation is ongoing, with about 100 investigators involved in the police hunt for the suspects and gems.
• The thieves entered the museum through an external route, using a basket lift to ascend the facade and force open a window.
• One of the stolen items, Empress Eugenie's emerald-set imperial crown, was later found outside the museum, damaged but recoverable.
• Questions have arisen about the Louvre security and whether security cameras failed to capture the heist.

Statistics:

• The value of the stolen items is estimated to be over $100 million.
• The thieves were inside the museum for less than four minutes.
• Eight objects were stolen from the Louvre, including a sapphire diadem, a necklace, and a single earring.
• The investigation has involved nearly 100 investigators.
• Empress Eugenie's emerald-set imperial crown, valued at over 88 million euros, was recovered outside the museum.

Sources:

• BFM TV
• Le Parisien newspaper
• RTL broadcaster