Two suspects involved in the sensational heist of France’s crown jewels from the Louvre have confessed to their roles. This development was confirmed by the Paris prosecutor’s office on Wednesday. The stolen jewels, however, remain missing and are not in the authorities’ possession.
Louvre Heist Details
The robbery captured international attention. It occurred on October 19 during daylight hours in the Apollo Gallery, known for housing the French Crown Jewels. The entire operation lasted merely seven minutes.
Profile of the Suspects
- First Suspect: A 34-year-old male of Algerian nationality. He has prior traffic-related offenses on record and was identified through DNA collected from a scooter.
- Second Suspect: A 39-year-old former delivery driver from Aubervilliers, known to police for aggravated theft. His DNA was found on broken glass at the scene.
Both suspects were apprehended on Saturday evening and questioned for 96 hours. They are now facing potential formal charges as part of an organized criminal gang, which could lead to a fifteen-year prison sentence.
Investigation Status
More than 100 investigators have been working on this case. Authorities have analyzed over 150 DNA samples and examined various items left at the scene, including gloves and a helmet. Two additional suspects remain at large.
One suspect was intercepted at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria. The prosecutor noted that there were no indications of inside assistance facilitating the heist.
Valuable Stolen Jewels
The stolen items include:
- An emerald necklace with over 1,000 diamonds, originally gifted by Napoleon to his second wife.
- A jewelry set worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, among other valuable pieces.
Authorities estimate the total value of the stolen jewelry at around 88 million euros (approximately $102 million). Prosecutor Beccuau expressed hope that the jewels could still be located and returned to the Louvre, emphasizing their unsellable nature. “Anyone purchasing these items would also be committing an offense,” she stated.
The investigation continues as the search for the remaining suspects and the missing jewels progresses.
