Louvre Heist: Two Suspects Admit Role in $102 Million Theft

Thu Oct 30 2025 05:44:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Two men have been arrested and partially admitted to their involvement in the recent Louvre heist, where priceless crown jewels were stolen. The investigation continues as security measures are heightened.

Two suspects arrested in connection with a recent heist at the Louvre Museum have partially acknowledged their roles in stealing €88 million worth of crown jewels. Paris prosecutors state that while the two men have been apprehended, the investigation indicates a potentially larger gang may be responsible. The stolen items have yet to be recovered, prompting increased security at cultural institutions across France.

Two men arrested in connection with the Louvre theft two weeks ago have partially recognised their involvement in the brazen heist, according to officials.

The pair in custody are suspected of being the two who used power tools to enter the museum's Apollon gallery and steal some of the French crown jewels.

Items worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were taken from the world's most-visited museum on 19 October, when four thieves broke into the building in broad daylight.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the jewels had not yet been recovered, and the gang involved could be larger than the four people caught on CCTV.

The two men, both in their thirties, have criminal records and were identified by DNA found during investigations. One of the men was arrested while trying to board a one-way flight to Algeria; however, the other was not planning to leave France.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest the theft was an inside job or that there were accomplices working at the museum. Nonetheless, Beccuau is not ruling out the possibility that this involves more than the four suspects caught on CCTV, expressing hope that the jewels will be recovered and returned to the Louvre.

On the day of the heist, the robbers used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony, before using a disc cutter to break into display cases housing the jewellery, spending just four minutes inside, making their escape on scooters.

In the aftermath of the incident, security measures have been increased at France's cultural institutions, with the Louvre transferring some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France's secure vault, which is located 26m below ground level.