Paris, France – A 38-year-old woman has been formally charged in connection with the dramatic Louvre Museum heist, one of the most audacious art thefts in recent history. The suspect appeared before a magistrate this week, where she was charged with complicity in organized theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a crime.

According to AFP, the woman, a resident of La Courneuve, a northern suburb of Paris, was in tears during the hearing, which continued behind closed doors at the request of the prosecution. The investigation into the high-profile theft is ongoing, with authorities yet to confirm how many individuals will ultimately face court proceedings.

Details of the Heist

Last month, a group of thieves wielding power tools raided the Louvre, the world’s most visited art museum, in broad daylight, completing the operation in just seven minutes. They stole jewelry valued at approximately $102 million, including historic pieces linked to French royalty.

Among the stolen items were:

• A diamond- and emerald-studded crown once belonging to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III.
• An emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise.
• A diadem dotted with nearly 2,000 diamonds, historically associated with Empress Eugenie.

During their escape, the burglars reportedly dropped the crown, but the remaining items remain missing.

Arrests and Charges

Initially, French authorities arrested two men suspected of carrying out the break-in. This week, five additional suspects were detained in and around Paris, primarily in Seine-Saint-Denis, with one suspect later released without charge.

The first two arrested suspects included:

• A 34-year-old Algerian national, identified through DNA traces on a scooter used in the getaway. He was apprehended while attempting to board a plane to Algeria.
• A 39-year-old unlicensed taxi driver from Aubervilliers, a Paris suburb.

Prosecutors believe these two were directly involved in entering the gallery, while two accomplices waited outside. All other stolen items remain unaccounted for, and the investigation continues.

Lawyers representing one of the released suspects described the wave of arrests as “drift nets,” suggesting that some detentions were indiscriminate and part of a broad investigation into organized theft networks.

Global Attention and Cultural Significance

The Louvre heist has drawn international media attention, highlighting vulnerabilities in even the world’s most secure museums. Security experts have emphasized the need for enhanced protective measures for priceless cultural artifacts, particularly those linked to historical figures and royal collections.

French authorities continue to investigate the network behind the heist, with prosecutors vowing to recover the stolen jewelry and crown jewels. The case underscores the persistent threat of organized art theft and the challenges law enforcement faces in protecting cultural heritage.