New Suspects Arrested in Louvre Heist, Precious Jewels Still Unaccounted For

Paris Prosecutors announced the arrest of five new suspects in connection with the theft of priceless French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The suspects were detained on Wednesday night, bringing the total number of individuals being held to 10. The jewels, estimated to be worth over $100 million, remain unrecovered. The investigation is ongoing, with police racing against time to gather evidence and charge the suspects before they are released in four days.

Key Takeaways:

• Five new suspects were arrested in connection with the theft of the Louvre's crown jewels, bringing the total number of individuals being held to 10.
• The suspects were detained on Wednesday night, but the jewels themselves remain unrecovered.
• DNA evidence links one of the arrested suspects to the crime scene, with investigators believing the suspect was part of the gang.
• Two other suspects, one of whom was boarding a flight to Algeria, were arrested on Saturday for allegedly using power tools to gain entry to the museum.
• The gang used a lift-ladder mounted on the back of a stolen truck to break into the museum's Apollon Gallery and then escaped on getaway motorcycles.
• The stolen jewels, valued at over $100 million, include an emerald and diamond necklace given to Napoleon's wife Marie Louise, a diadem set with nearly 2,000 diamonds and over 200 pearls that belonged to Empress Eugenie, and six other priceless pieces dating back to the early 1800s.
• Eugenie's diamond and emerald-covered crown was left behind after the gang dropped it onto the road in their haste to escape.
• The Louvre was shut following the robbery, with nine of its 28 galleries, including the Apollon, remaining closed.
• The museum has moved some of its most valuable exhibits to the Bank of France underground vault, 85 feet below street level.

Statistics:

• $100 million: estimated value of the stolen jewels.
• 10: total number of individuals being held in connection with the theft.
• 5: number of new suspects arrested.
• 2: number of suspects arrested on Saturday for allegedly using power tools to gain entry.
• 4: number of days police have to charge the suspects before they are released.
• 28: number of galleries in the Louvre Museum.
• 9: number of galleries remaining closed due to the robbery.
• 85: depth of the Bank of France underground vault in feet.
• 2,000: number of diamonds in the diadem set belonging to Empress Eugenie.
• 200: number of pearls in the diadem set belonging to Empress Eugenie.
• 6: number of priceless pieces dating back to the early 1800s stolen from the Louvre.

Sources:

• UPI, Oct. 30 (PAUL GODFREY)