French authorities announced on Wednesday that the jewelry stolen from the Louvre remains missing, despite the arrest of two suspects connected to the heist.
On October 19, a group of four robbers infiltrated the Louvre and made off with crown jewels valued at around $102 million in a robbery that took less than 10 minutes. Paris prosecutor Laure Becuau shared details of the ongoing investigation with the media on Wednesday.
“I want to maintain hope. Once the jewels are found, we can return them to the Louvre and the public,” she expressed.
Becuau clarified that there’s currently no evidence to support the theory that the robbery was an inside job. Authorities apprehended two individuals on Saturday, one of whom was trying to catch a flight to Algeria. According to reports, the detainees have partially confessed to their involvement.
French officials indicated that the thieves used a basket lift to scale the museum’s exterior, forcibly opened windows, and smashed display cases before escaping. Laurence de Cal, the Louvre’s director, acknowledged serious lapses in the museum’s security measures.
Becuau noted that specialized police units focused on armed robberies, major thefts, and art crimes carried out the arrests. She mentioned that leaks of information could hinder the efforts of over 100 investigators who are dedicated to recovering the stolen items and apprehending all involved.
The robbers took eight pieces, including a sapphire crown and a necklace, associated with 19th-century figures like Queen Marie Amélie and Hortense. They also swiped an emerald necklace linked to Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon’s second wife, as well as a brooch from a reliquary. Notably, Empress Eugénie’s diamond crown, adorned with emeralds and over 1,300 diamonds, was found later outside the museum, albeit damaged but still fixable.
