🔗 Share this article

A further quartet of persons are now under arrest within the framework of the active inquiry into the last month's theft of precious jewelry at the Louvre Museum, according to the Parisian legal officials.

Details of the Newest Detentions

Two male suspects, in their late thirties, and two women, in their early thirties and forties, were arrested on Tuesday. Each hails from the Paris region.

Among them is considered as the remaining individual of a four-man gang that allegedly carried out the daylight heist, as reported by media sources in France. The other three accused perpetrators are already in custody and charged, authorities state.

Police now have a maximum of four days to interrogate the suspects. Zero evidence has to date been discovered of the stolen jewels - appraised at €88m (£76m; $102m) - which were stolen on October 19th.

Previous Charges and Disavowals

Four people have already been charged over the heist - a trio of males and one female, who similarly reside within the Parisian area.

A 38-year-old woman was charged earlier this month with involvement in organized robbery and illegal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime.

Additionally, a 37-year-old male, was accused of theft and criminal conspiracy.

The pair of accused, who have not had their identities disclosed, have disavowed any participation.

The Method of the Robbery Was Carried Out

The heist happened when the team of four individuals employed a hijacked vehicle with a mounted lift to gain access to the Apollo Gallery via a balcony near the Seine River.

The thieves utilized a circular saw to break into display cases which held the precious items.

The thieves were inside for just 240 seconds and executed their getaway on two scooters stationed outside at 09:38, before changing to vehicles.

One taken artifact - an imperial crown - was dropped during the escape but eight more objects of precious ornaments - featuring an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his second wife, the Empress Marie-Louise - were appropriated.

Security Failures and Aftermath

Officials have revealed that the heist was carried out by minor lawbreakers rather than experienced crime syndicates.

In the immediate aftermath of the heist, it was revealed by the Louvre's director that the sole surveillance camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was facing opposite the terrace used by the perpetrators to commit the burglary.

Louvre leadership has later confessed that the institution had fallen short in its obligations, but denied that security had been overlooked - emphasizing that from the beginning of her tenure in the year 2021 she had been repeatedly cautioning of the need for more investment.

Enhanced Safeguarding Protocols

Since the incident, protective protocols have been tightened around the nation's cultural landmarks.

The museum has moved numerous highly prized jewelry items to the French central bank after the theft.