Police in France have detained multiple suspects linked to the daring theft of Napoleonic crown jewels from the Louvre Museum — one caught attempting to flee the country.
Suspect Caught Fleeing After High-Profile Louvre Heist
PARIS, October 26, 2025 — French authorities have made arrests in connection with last weekend’s Louvre Museum jewel heist, a stunning theft that captured global attention after Napoleonic-era crown jewels worth an estimated $100 million were stolen in broad daylight.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed late Saturday that several suspects were taken into custody, including one who was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport while trying to leave France. She declined to specify the exact number of arrests or whether any of the stolen jewels had been recovered.
“It is too early to provide any specific details,” Beccuau stated, criticizing media leaks that she said could “hinder the investigative efforts of the 100 or so mobilized investigators.”
According to Le Parisien, the suspects are believed to be two men in their 30s from Seine-Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris. However, these details have not been officially confirmed.
French Authorities Praise Swift Police Work
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised investigators for their “tireless work,” noting that they have 96 hours to interrogate the suspects due to the severity of the crime.
“They have always had my full confidence,” Nunez said, adding that the case demonstrates the “resolve of French law enforcement” to protect national heritage.
The arrests come one week after one of France’s most audacious art thefts, which saw a group of masked thieves storm the Louvre in under four minutes and escape undetected.
How the Louvre Heist Unfolded
The brazen robbery took place on Sunday morning, October 19, when four suspects arrived at the Louvre on motor scooters. Two men reportedly entered via the Seine-facing façade at approximately 9:30 a.m. — just after the museum opened — taking advantage of ongoing construction work that allowed them to access the Apollo Gallery directly using a cherry picker.
Surveillance footage shows the thieves moving “calmly and efficiently”, smashing glass cases to seize the jewels. According to France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati, the heist was “highly professional” and involved no violence.
Among the stolen treasures were emerald- and sapphire-encrusted diadems, necklaces, and brooches belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte’s wives and 19th-century royals. The most valuable piece — the Empress’s Crown, set with over 1,000 gemstones — was later found discarded near the museum.
Other missing jewels include a tiara and necklace worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, both dating to the early 1800s.
Political Fallout and Security Concerns
The theft has sparked political outrage and raised concerns over museum security protocols. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident as “an attack on our heritage and our history.”
“We will recover the works and bring those responsible to justice,” Macron vowed.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged “serious failures” in museum security, particularly the installation of a freight lift on a public street that gave the thieves direct access to the gallery.
“This incident projects a negative image of France,” Darmanin said, confirming that a nationwide security review is now underway across major cultural institutions.
Meanwhile, Louvre director Laurence des Cars faces mounting pressure to explain how such a sophisticated operation could occur at one of the world’s most heavily guarded museums — just steps from the Mona Lisa.
An Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to track possible accomplices and the whereabouts of the missing jewels. The French Art Theft Brigade is working closely with Interpol and Europol to prevent the jewels from being smuggled abroad.
Experts warn that reselling such iconic items will be nearly impossible, as their provenance and craftsmanship are instantly recognizable on the global art market.
The Louvre Museum reopened Sunday with heightened security, as visitors queued outside amid growing public curiosity and outrage over the crime.
“This heist has touched a national nerve,” said Paris-based art historian Claire Fontaine. “The crown jewels symbolize France’s imperial past — and their theft feels like an assault on our identity.”
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