Louvre Robbery: Five New Suspects Arrested Over Stolen Crown Jewels Worth Estimated €88m

Strategic Insights -

French media have reported that five new suspects have been arrested in connection with the Louvre robbery in Paris, where thieves stole crown jewels worth an estimated €88m. The four-man gang pulled up outside the world's most visited museum on October 19 in a stolen furniture removal truck, wearing hi-vis vests to resemble maintenance workers. They smashed an unsecured window, sliced open two glass display cases, and fled on motorbikes driven by the other two men, leaving behind a diamond and emerald-studded crown.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five new suspects have been arrested in connection with the Louvre robbery, bringing the total number of arrests to at least three.
  • The stolen jewels included an emerald and diamond necklace given to Napoleon I's second wife, Marie Louise, and a diadem set with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds that once belonged to Empress Eugénie.
  • The four-man gang spent a total of three minutes and 58 seconds inside the museum, with the two thieves entering the gallery spending most of the time.
  • The stolen items included eight richly gem-encrusted pieces, with the thieves passing up an opportunity to take the entire display case.
  • The gang used a stolen furniture removal truck and motorbikes to carry out the heist, which lasted less than seven minutes.
  • French authorities believe there is still a possibility that the gang may have numbered more than four men, but there is no indication so far that it had benefited from inside help.
  • The two suspects arrested on Sunday had "partially admitted" their role in the heist, but the jewels have not been recovered.

Statistics:

  • Estimated value of stolen jewels: €88m
  • Number of thieves: 4
  • Time spent inside the museum: 03:58
  • Value of individual stolen pieces not disclosed
  • One of the stolen pieces was a diamond and emerald-studded crown
  • The gang used a stolen furniture removal truck and motorbikes for the heist
  • Number of arrests made so far: 3
  • The stolen jewels included items with historical significance, such as the emerald and diamond necklace and the diadem set with pearls and diamonds

Sources:

  • RTL radio, October [no date mentioned]
  • BFMTV
  • French judicial sources