Paris: French authorities have made a major breakthrough in the audacious jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, arresting two men in their 30s in connection with the $102-million robbery that stunned the world. The arrests mark the first tangible progress in recovering the priceless royal jewels stolen in a daylight raid last Sunday.
Details of the arrests
One suspect was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Saturday evening, reportedly attempting to flee France. The second suspect was arrested later that evening in Seine-Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris. Both men are now in custody as authorities continue interrogations. Prosecutors have confirmed the arrests but have withheld further personal details, including names, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Investigators believe the two arrested men were key members of a four-person gang that executed the heist, which lasted just seven minutes. Police suspect the remaining two gang members are still at large.
How the heist was carried out
The robbery, which took place on October 19, 2025, targeted the Galerie d’Apollon, a first-floor gallery at the Louvre that houses France’s historic crown jewels. According to preliminary investigations:
The gang used a stolen moving truck equipped with an extendable ladder and lift to reach the balcony.
Two perpetrators, disguised in high-visibility vests to resemble museum workers, climbed to the first-floor balcony, broke in, and smashed display cases to seize the jewels.
The thieves escaped on motorcycles, dropping one emerald-and-diamond crown during the getaway but successfully fleeing with eight other priceless items, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace once gifted by Napoleon Bonaparte to Empress Marie-Louise.
Value and significance of stolen Items
Authorities estimate the stolen treasures were worth approximately €88 million (around $102 million). Beyond their financial value, the jewels carry immense historical importance, having belonged to French royalty in the 19th century. Experts warn that if not recovered quickly, the gems could be irreparably altered or sold on the black market.
The heist has exposed serious security lapses at the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum. The balcony used by the thieves was reportedly unmonitored by surveillance cameras, and the robbery was executed in broad daylight. Investigators are also exploring whether the gang had inside help, given the precision and speed of the operation.
With the two suspects in custody, French investigators are conducting forensic analyses, including DNA and fingerprint testing, on the tools and safety gear recovered from the crime scene. While arrests are a significant development, authorities caution that recovering the actual jewels remains uncertain, as criminals may have already started altering the items.
The heist has caused shockwaves in France, with some political voices describing it as a national embarrassment, given the cultural and historical value of the stolen jewels. Law enforcement agencies have vowed to recover the treasures and bring all perpetrators to justice.