Five More Arrested in Louvre Crown Jewel Heist as Investigation Widens

Paris police have detained five additional suspects in the dramatic Louvre crown jewel theft, deepening what has become one of France’s most audacious criminal investigations in years.

Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests on Thursday, saying they included one “main suspect” who had long been under surveillance.

According to French media, the coordinated arrests took place late Wednesday across the Paris region. The suspects’ identities have not yet been released, but the operation marks a major expansion of the probe, coming just a day after two men admitted partial responsibility for the theft and conspiracy.

The brazen October 19 heist unfolded in less than five minutes, when intruders entered the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery through an upper window and made off with eight pieces of priceless jewellery, including tiaras, brooches and pearl-adorned necklaces once owned by the wives of Emperors Napoleon I and Napoleon III.

The jewels, valued at roughly €88 million ($102 million), remain missing.

Two of the earlier suspects, a 34-year-old Algerian man and a 39-year-old accomplice, were arrested in the northern suburb of Aubervilliers last weekend. Their DNA was reportedly found on a display case and other items left at the scene.

They are expected to face charges of organised theft, which carries a potential 15-year prison sentence, and criminal conspiracy, punishable by up to 10 years.

The scale and precision of the operation have raised tough questions about security at the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum. On Wednesday, the museum’s director acknowledged “a terrible failure” and said her resignation had been offered to France’s culture minister, who refused to accept it.