Four more suspects arrested in France over US$102 million Louvre jewel heist
French authorities have arrested four additional suspects as part of the ongoing investigation into last month’s high profile theft of imperial jewellery from the Louvre museum. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the new arrests on Tuesday, marking another significant development in a case that has drawn international attention due to the scale of the theft and the brazen manner in which it was carried out.
According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the latest suspects include two men aged 38 and 39 and two women aged 31 and 40, all of whom are residents of the Paris region. Their arrests follow earlier charges filed against four other individuals believed to be connected to the heist. Investigators say the expanding list of suspects reflects the organised nature of the crime and the extensive planning thought to be behind it.
The robbery took place on October 19, when a four person team executed a highly coordinated raid inside the Louvre, the world’s most visited art museum. Moving quickly and without hesitation, the group entered the gallery in broad daylight and stole a collection of imperial jewels valued at around US$102 million. Authorities say the entire operation lasted only seven minutes, underscoring the precision and efficiency with which the thieves acted. The suspects reportedly escaped the scene using scooters, allowing them to navigate Paris traffic and vanish before police could respond.
The stolen items are believed to include pieces associated with Napoleon era collections, making them not only extremely valuable but also culturally and historically significant. French authorities have been working closely with international law enforcement to track any attempt to sell or smuggle the jewels. Because such artefacts are highly recognisable, experts say it will be difficult for thieves to place them on the open market, increasing the likelihood that the items may still be in France or held by associates of the group.
Investigators continue to examine security footage, communication records and potential connections between the suspects already charged. Police believe a wider network may have played a role in organising the robbery, including individuals responsible for planning, transportation and identifying vulnerabilities in the museum’s security systems. Officials have not ruled out additional arrests as the investigation progresses.
The Louvre heist has raised renewed concerns about the security of major cultural institutions. While museums typically employ multiple layers of protection, the speed and confidence displayed by the thieves have prompted discussions about whether existing measures are sufficient for preventing rapid, targeted thefts. Cultural officials in France have said that reviews of security procedures are under way, both to support the investigation and to strengthen protections for other high value collections.
For now, authorities remain focused on locating the stolen jewels and determining the full scope of the network behind the theft. The prosecutor’s office said the arrests represent important progress, but much work remains before the case can be fully resolved.
