French prosecutors have formally charged two additional suspects in connection with last month’s daring theft of royal jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris, bringing the total number of people charged in the case to four.
According to the Paris Prosecutor’s Office, the two latest defendants — a 37-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman — were charged with theft by an organised gang and complicity in organised theft, respectively. Both were remanded in custody pending trial.
(Source: Reuters)
Authorities said the pair were among five people arrested last week in coordinated raids across Paris and Lyon. Three of those detained were later released without charge.
(Source: The Guardian)
The Heist
The charges stem from the October 19 robbery at the Louvre’s famed Apollo Gallery, home to priceless pieces of the French Crown Jewels. In a meticulously executed operation lasting less than eight minutes, a group of masked thieves reportedly used industrial power tools and a lift truck to breach display cases and escape with gems estimated to be worth more than US $100 million.
(Source: AP News)
Security footage showed the suspects entering through a restricted service entrance just after dawn, suggesting they had inside knowledge of the museum’s layout and security systems. French investigators have since confirmed that none of the stolen items have yet been recovered, raising fears they may have already been dismantled or trafficked abroad.
(Source: Reuters)
Ongoing Investigation
Prosecutors believe the theft was orchestrated by a larger organised criminal network specialising in art and luxury thefts across Europe. French police are working with Interpol and Europol to track possible international links and recover the jewels before they disappear permanently into the black market.
(Source: The Guardian)
In response to public outrage, France’s Culture Minister announced that the Louvre will undergo a comprehensive security overhaul, including upgrades to surveillance systems and staff vetting procedures.
(Source: AP News)
