A French prosecutor expressed frustration over the premature disclosure of the arrests of two suspects linked to the Louvre jewelry heist. Public prosecutor Laure Beccuau criticized the release of information by unidentified sources, emphasizing its potential to hinder the ongoing investigation involving numerous law enforcement personnel.
Although not specifying the exact number of arrests, Beccuau confirmed that one suspect was apprehended while attempting to leave Paris via Charles de Gaulle Airport. Reports from French media indicated that a second individual was also detained in the Paris region on the same evening. The prosecutor did not provide updates on the whereabouts of the stolen jewelry taken from the Louvre.
According to Le Parisien, both suspects are residents of Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris. Law enforcement authorities swiftly acted on the suspects after monitoring them for a period, culminating in their arrests as one of the men was preparing to flee the country.
The detained individuals are currently under pre-trial detention as authorities investigate charges of “organized theft” and “criminal conspiracy.” They are subject to a 96-hour holding period, after which Beccuau pledged to release additional information regarding the case.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez commended the investigative efforts and stressed the importance of continuing the probe while upholding the confidentiality of the investigation. The suspects are believed to be part of the criminal gang responsible for the daring daylight robbery at the renowned museum, utilizing a cherry picker to access the Apollo Gallery and stealing jewels valued at £76 million.
Among the stolen items are significant royal pieces such as sapphire and emerald necklaces, along with a diamond brooch adorned with 2,438 diamonds. The thieves also took the emerald crown of Empress Eugenie, dropped it during their escape, and later recovered it damaged.