Le Parisien and Le Figaro: These are the latest developments in the theft of Louvre jewelry policy

The French newspaper Le Parisien revealed that investigations into the dramatic theft that occurred at the Louvre Museum are progressing rapidly, as 7 people suspected of being directly or indirectly involved in the theft that occurred on the morning of October 19 were arrested.

Two people were arrested last Saturday, when they were preparing to travel outside France, and they are suspected of being the two people who stormed the Apollon exhibition. They are 34 and 39 years old and live in Aubervilliers in the Seine-Saint-Denis region, according to what the Paris Public Prosecutor, Laure Becque, reported.

The first is unemployed – Le Parisien continues – and told investigators that he worked in the past as a garbage collector, is known for committing traffic violations, and has previously been convicted of theft.

Arrests

The second has a criminal record and Lor Bequio announced that he is a taxi driver known for committing serious thefts, including one that led to him being placed under judicial supervision when he was arrested.

The newspaper reported that after they were identified through DNA, the two gave limited explanations regarding their involvement in the theft. They were charged with organized theft and criminal conspiracy, and were placed in pre-trial detention.

Le Parisien said that the competent authorities also arrested 5 people, including a person suspected of being one of the cyclists who participated in the theft. According to a source close to the investigation, he was arrested in Paris with 3 other people, believed to be his acquaintances.

A fifth suspect was also arrested in Seine-Saint-Denis, and Laure Becque was quoted as saying that they “may provide us with information about the course of events”, even if they were not directly involved in the robbery.

Prosecutor Becchio stressed that she wanted to maintain: “the hope that the jewels will be found and can be returned to the Louvre and to the nation.

The newspaper confirmed that the fourth member of the armed group has not yet been found, nor has the person who coordinated and ordered the robbery, nor has the valuable jewelry that is still missing been found.

For its part, Le Figaro newspaper quoted Public Prosecutor Becchio as saying that the suspected detainees “do not belong to the upper class of the world of organized crime.”

It is reported that on Sunday, October 19, at 9:30 a.m. French time, two men wearing yellow jackets climbed onto a crane that allowed them to reach the window of the Apollon Gallery, then stormed this wing of the museum, broke several glass facades using saws, and stole jewelry.

Hope exists

When the other two members of the group – one of whom is still wanted – were tasked with operating the crane that allowed their accomplices to rob the hallway. After 7 minutes, all four fled to eastern Paris on two motorcycles, then disappeared.

Becchio emphasized that she wanted to preserve: “the hope that the jewels will be found and can be returned to the Louvre and to the nation. These jewels are not for sale today, of course, there is still time to return them.”

Le Figaro explains that about 100 investigators are working alongside the Central Office for Combating Trafficking in Cultural Goods to find the fourth member of the gang, in addition to any other potential partners.