The audacious daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum earlier this month was carried out by petty criminals — not professional art thieves — according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
Two weeks ago, a group of thieves used a stolen truck and a furniture lift to break into the world-famous museum, smashing their way into an ornate room and escaping within seven minutes with crown jewels worth an estimated €88 million (£76 million).
Among the stolen treasures were priceless historical pieces, including an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to Marie Louise, and a pearl-and-diamond diadem once owned by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.
Beccuau revealed that four suspects have been charged — including a couple with children — but the jewels remain missing. One or more suspects are still at large.
“This is not everyday delinquency, but it’s also not the work of organized crime elites,” Beccuau said, describing the suspects as locals from Seine-Saint-Denis, one of France’s poorest regions.
A 38-year-old woman and her 37-year-old partner have been charged with organized theft and criminal conspiracy after DNA evidence linked them to the crime. Both deny involvement, with the woman reportedly in tears during her court appearance.
Two other men, aged 34 and 39, were arrested earlier and have partially admitted their roles. All three have prior convictions for theft, and two were previously convicted together a decade ago.
Police believe the thieves may have been amateurs, as they dropped Empress Eugénie’s crown during the getaway and left behind tools that could contain DNA.
Investigators are now tracking possible attempts to sell the jewels on the black market. “We’re exploring every lead,” Beccuau said. “These items could be used for laundering or illicit trade — we just hope they’re not sold anytime soon.”
