🔗 Share this article

Another four individuals have been detained as part of the active inquiry into the last month's heist of priceless jewellery at the Paris Louvre, according to the French judicial authorities.

Specifics of the Most Recent Arrests

Two men, in their late thirties, and two female individuals, aged 31 and 40, faced apprehension earlier this week. Each hails from the greater Paris area.

Included in this group is thought to be the remaining individual of a quartet of thieves that is said to have performed the broad-daylight robbery, as reported by French media. The remaining trio suspected thieves have already been arrested and charged, officials say.

Police now have up to 96 hours to conduct interviews. No trace has to date been discovered of the pilfered gems - valued at 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which disappeared on the nineteenth of October.

Previous Indictments and Rejections

Four individuals have already been indicted over the heist - three male and one female suspects, who also live in the Paris region.

One female, aged 38 was indicted in recent weeks with complicity in organised theft and illegal conspiracy aimed at perpetrating an offense.

Additionally, one male suspect, 37 years old, was indicted for theft and criminal conspiracy.

The pair of accused, who have not been named publicly, have denied any involvement.

How the Heist Was Carried Out

The theft took place when the group of four men employed a hijacked vehicle with a mounted lift to enter the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony adjacent to the Seine.

The men used a circular saw to crack open exhibition cases housing the jewellery.

The robbers remained within for four minutes and made their escape on two motor scooters positioned externally at 09:38, before changing to vehicles.

One of the stolen items - an imperial crown - was fallen in the flight but eight more objects of jewelry - such as a necklace with emeralds and diamonds that Emperor Napoleon presented to his empress, the Empress Marie-Louise - were taken.

Safeguarding Deficiencies and Aftermath

Authorities have indicated that the heist was carried out by small-time offenders rather than experienced crime syndicates.

In the immediate aftermath of the heist, it was announced by the Louvre leadership that the only camera watching the Apollo Gallery was pointing away from the balcony scaled by the robbers to break in.

Louvre leadership has subsequently acknowledged that the museum had failed in its responsibilities, but denied that security had been overlooked - emphasizing that from the time she took office in 2021 she had been warning constantly of the need for more investment.

Strengthened Safeguarding Protocols

Since the incident, safeguarding procedures have been strengthened for France's cultural institutions.

The museum has moved a selection of its most valuable gems to the Bank of France in the aftermath of the robbery.