• Several suspects arrested in connection with the Louvre crown jewels theft
• Investigation ongoing to recover the stolen jewels and pursue all involved

The Paris public prosecutor announced on Sunday the arrest of several suspects linked to the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, a week after the shocking heist

The prosecutor stated that the arrests took place on Saturday evening, noting that one of the suspects was planning to leave the country via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

French media reported that two suspects had been taken into custody, although prosecutor Laure Beccuau did not confirm the exact number of arrests or whether any of the stolen jewels had been recovered

The thieves managed to steal jewels valued at €88 million ($102 million) in less than eight minutes last Sunday morning

They used a basket lift to scale the museum’s façade, forced open a window, smashed display cases, and fled

The museum’s director described the incident as a terrible failure

The prosecutor clarified that a special police unit, responsible for armed robberies, major burglaries, and art thefts, carried out the arrests

She also expressed regret over the premature leak of information, noting that it could hinder the work of more than 100 investigators mobilized to recover the jewels and apprehend all involved. Additional details will be revealed after the suspects’ custody period ends

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised the tireless work of the investigators, expressing his full confidence in them

The Louvre reopened earlier this week following one of the century’s most audacious and high-profile museum thefts

The thieves made off quickly with a collection of French crown jewels, including eight items such as a sapphire crown, necklace, and earrings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries

They also stole an emerald necklace and earrings linked to Empress Marie-Louise, a commemorative brooch, and a diamond diadem of Empress Eugénie with a large matching brooch

One item, Eugénie’s emerald-set crown with nearly 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum, partially damaged but repairable

News of the arrests brought relief to Louvre visitors and passersby, some emphasizing the importance of protecting cultural heritage, while others focused on the need to recover the stolen jewels