Anna Hartz
Police Detain Suspects in $102 Million Louvre Robbery
Last week, the Louvre in Paris faced one of the boldest heists in recent history when thieves made off with priceless jewels during the day.
Two Arrests
Police in Paris arrested two men suspected of carrying out the daring robbery on Saturday evening, reports Reuters.
According to Le Parisien, the arrests took place in separate locations. One suspect was stopped at Charles de Gaulle airport around 10 p.m. while trying to leave the country.
The other was caught later in the evening in a suburb north of Paris called Seine-Saint-Denis. Both are now being questioned.
No Public Comment Yet
Authorities have not yet commented publicly. The two men are reported to be in their thirties and originally from the Seine-Saint-Denis area.
French police were already familiar with them, according to the newspaper. One suspect had been preparing to travel to Algeria before he was detained.
Daylight Robbery
The theft took place on October 19. Thieves used a crane to break an upstairs window of the museum during visiting hours.
They managed to steal eight items, including several of France’s crown jewels, with an estimated value of $102 million. After the robbery, they escaped on motorbikes, leaving museum staff and visitors in shock.
A National Embarrassment
The audacity of the heist shocked the world. Many in France saw it as a national embarrassment, raising questions about security at one of the globe’s most-visited museums.
The stolen jewels include pieces considered irreplaceable parts of France’s cultural heritage, including crowns and necklaces that once belonged to royalty.
A Nationwide Hunt
French authorities launched a nationwide hunt immediately after the robbery. Security measures across the country’s museums have been reviewed, and the Louvre said it would strengthen its protections.
Experts have noted that moving and selling such famous jewels would be extremely difficult, making it hard for the thieves to profit from their loot.
The case continues to unfold. Investigators hope that questioning the two suspects will reveal how the heist was planned and who else might have been involved.
This article is made and published by Anna Hartz, which may have used AI in the preparation
