Suspects arrested over theft of crown jewels from the Louvre, prosecutor says

PARIS (AP) — The Paris prosecutor confirmed on Sunday, a week after the shocking theft of crown jewels from the Louvre museum, that suspects had been apprehended in connection with the crime.

The prosecutor claimed that the arrests were made on Saturday night. He also said that one of the individuals who was arrested was getting ready to leave Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Earlier, French news outlets BFM TV and Le Parisien said that two individuals had been captured and were being held. Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, didn’t disclose how many people had been arrested or if any diamonds had been found.

Paris prosecutor said that the jewels taken from the Louvre are valued about $102 million.

Last Sunday morning, thieves stole gems worth 88 million euros ($102 million) from the world’s most popular museum in less than eight minutes. French officials said that the attackers used a basket lift to climb the Louvre’s facade, broke a window, shattered exhibit cases, and then ran away. The museum’s director said the event was a “terrible failure.”

Beccuau added that a special police unit that looks into armed robberies, severe burglaries, and art thefts made the arrests. In her statement, she said she was sorry that the information got out too soon since it could make it harder for the more than 100 investigators who were sent to find the stolen jewels and catch all the criminals. Beccuau said further information will be made public after the suspects are released from jail.

Laurent Nunez, the French Interior Minister, complimented “the investigators who have worked hard, just as I asked them to, and who have always had my full trust.”

Earlier this week, the Louvre reopened after one of the most famous museum robberies of the century shocked the world with how bold and big it was.

The criminals got in and out quickly, stealing some of France’s royal treasures. Some people linked this to the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019, which was a cultural loss.

The robbers got away with eight things, including a sapphire diadem, a necklace, and a single earring from a set that belonged to 19th-century monarchs Marie-Amélie and Hortense.

They also stole a reliquary brooch and an emerald necklace and earrings that belonged to Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife. The thieves also took Empress Eugénie’s diamond diadem and her big corsage-bow brooch, which were part of an imperial set that was very well made.

One piece, Eugénie’s imperial crown with emeralds and more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum. It was broken but could be fixed.

People who were in the Louvre or passing by on Sunday were happy to hear about the arrests.

“It’s important for our history.” Freddy Jacquemet remarked, “It does feel a little late, but we wonder how this could even happen. It was important that the guys were caught.”

Diana Ramirez said, “I think the most important thing now is if they can get the jewels back.” “That’s what really counts.”

Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/suspects-arrested-over-theft-of-crown-jewels-from-the-louvre-prosecutor-says

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