Two arrested in relation to Paris Louvre jewels raid
One of suspects was detained at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport as he attempted to board a flight to Algeria
The arrests were made almost one week after the break-in at the museum鈥檚 Galerie d鈥橝pollon on October 19
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Two men have been placed in police custody in connection with the theft of France鈥檚 crown jewels from the Louvre, one of whom was detained at Charles-de-Gaulle airport as he attempted to board a flight to Algeria.
The arrests were made on Saturday evening, almost one week after the break-in at the museum鈥檚 Galerie d鈥橝pollon on October 19.
The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, confirmed on Sunday that the two suspects, both in their thirties and known to police, were identified after investigators matched DNA traces taken from the scene.
Investigators have so far examined more than 150 forensic samples, including genetic and fingerprint evidence taken from the scene.
Items left behind during the theft included a motorcycle helmet, a blowtorch, cutting equipment and a yellow work vest.
Some of these were reportedly doused in petrol, suggesting the thieves attempted to destroy trace evidence before fleeing.
The recovered DNA evidence appears to have been central to the rapid progress in the investigation.
The arrest at Charles-de-Gaulle airport was carried out by officers from the border police and the Paris anti-gang unit, la Brigade de r茅pression du banditisme.
The suspect was intercepted shortly before departure and taken into custody without incident.
The second suspect was detained elsewhere in the Paris region later the same evening. Both remain under questioning, and no charges have yet been formally issued.
The whereabouts of the jewels remains unknown.
Police sources quoted in broadcast and press reports state that the arrests have not yet led to the recovery of the stolen items, and that two remaining suspects are still being sought.
Investigators speculate that the items may have already been transferred abroad, disassembled, or passed into the hands of intermediaries linked to the illicit trade in cultural property.
Louvre security called into question
The case has reopened debate about security at major cultural institutions.
During a hearing at the Senate last week, the president-director of the Louvre requested the creation of a dedicated on-site police station.
Interior Minister Laurent Nu帽ez rejected the proposal on Sunday, telling newspaper La Tribune Dimanche that such measures should not be multiplied across comparable sites and noting that a police station already stands in close proximity to the museum.
He praised the work of investigators so far and said efforts would continue 鈥渨ith the same determination鈥�.
