In what has been described as one of the most audacious museum burglaries in recent history, thieves struck the world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris in broad daylight on October 19, 2025, escaping in under eight minutes with jewels valued at a staggering $102 million. Three months later, police have detained four suspects believed to be directly involved in the heist, yet the priceless treasures remain unaccounted for, deepening the mystery surrounding the crime.

The Suspects

Authorities have apprehended four men in their thirties in connection with the theft. Among them is Abdoulaye N., an unlicensed taxi driver who will turn 40 this month and was known previously for showcasing his motorbike stunts on social media. Another key suspect is a 35-year-old Algerian, arrested in October as he attempted to leave Paris.

A third suspect, aged 37, had prior criminal links with Abdoulaye N., while the fourth, a 38-year-old man, hails from the same Paris suburb as the other three. Investigating magistrates began questioning the group earlier this month, though Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau has indicated that the authorities have yet to uncover any substantial leads regarding the location of the stolen jewels.

Additionally, a 38-year-old woman, partner of the third suspect, has been charged as an accomplice. She was, however, released under judicial supervision pending trial.

Planning and Execution

Prosecutors say the robbery was carefully orchestrated, with the thieves conducting significant reconnaissance before the day of the heist. The robbers struck early on a Sunday morning, targeting the museum at a time when operations were slowly beginning. Their first move was to locate and steal a mover’s truck with an extendable ladder, enabling access to the first-floor gallery where the French crown jewels were displayed.

Once the truck was positioned beneath the gallery, two thieves used the ladder to reach the display area while the other two remained on the ground. Using angle grinders, they cut open the glass cases containing the treasures. The quartet then descended with their loot, fleeing on high-powered motor scooters. In their haste, a diamond-and-emerald crown was dropped, but eight other key pieces, including Napoleon I’s emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted to Empress Marie-Louise, remain missing.

Forensic Evidence

Despite their speed, the thieves left behind crucial DNA evidence. The motorbike stuntman suspect was identified after his genetic material was found on broken glass and abandoned items at the scene. The Algerian suspect left DNA traces on a scooter used in the escape, while the third suspect and his partner deposited genetic evidence on the furniture lift employed to access the gallery.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the fourth suspect was likely responsible for parking the truck under the museum gallery. These forensic breakthroughs were key in enabling authorities to identify and detain the suspects, though they have yet to recover the stolen treasures.

Not Amateur Thieves

While some may have initially assumed the burglars were inexperienced, sources close to the investigation described them as highly methodical. The suspects had pre-staged their scooters and equipment in storage units and even disabled nearby surveillance cameras prior to the heist. On the day, they dressed as workmen in high-visibility jackets and completed the theft in just eight minutes.

After abandoning their scooters for a van, the suspects drove to the suburbs, deliberately avoiding camera-covered zones to confuse investigators. “They then didn’t call each other again and went back to their lives as if nothing had happened,” said a source familiar with the probe.

Security Lapses

The robbery has also highlighted glaring security weaknesses at the Louvre. A recent probe by the French culture ministry revealed that only one of two security cameras was operational at the site of entry. Control room agents lacked sufficient screens to monitor live footage effectively, allowing the thieves to evade capture by a margin of just 30 seconds.

The Missing Jewels

Despite the arrests, the crown jewels’ whereabouts remain unknown. Prosecutor Beccuau said there is no evidence that a third party ordered the heist or that the stolen items have left French soil. Investigators are actively liaising with contacts abroad to monitor for suspicious activity, but so far, the treasures have not surfaced.

The audacity and precision of the heist, combined with the missing jewels, have left both law enforcement and the public grappling with the scale of the crime. While DNA evidence has helped detain key suspects, the Louvre heist remains one of the most tantalizing unsolved cases of recent times, raising questions about security protocols at even the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions.

---