Theft of Crown Jewels at the Louvre: Two Arrested Amid Security Failures

Fri Dec 05 2025 08:36:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Authorities arrest two suspects linked to the audacious daylight theft of crown jewels at the Louvre museum. This incident raises serious concerns about the museum's security protocols.

In a dramatic heist, two suspects were arrested following the theft of crown jewels valued at €88 million from the Louvre museum in Paris. Security lapses during the daytime robbery prompted condemnation from France's justice minister, highlighting significant vulnerabilities in cultural institutions' defenses. Investigations continue as the jewels are feared to have been broken into pieces.

Authorities in Paris have made significant progress in the investigation of a dramatic theft that occurred at the Louvre museum, with the arrest of two suspects linked to the €88 million theft of crown jewels. The robbery took place in broad daylight last Sunday, as four thieves armed with power tools broke into the museum shortly after it opened to the public.

One of the suspects was apprehended while preparing to board a flight to Algeria, while the second suspect was heading to Mali. Both arrests were made by the Paris prosecutor's office, which reported that DNA evidence found at the scene helped identify the suspects.

This high-profile heist has brought to light serious concerns regarding the security measures in place at the Louvre. France’s justice minister expressed that the incident painted a terrible image of the country's cultural safeguarding efforts. Reports suggest that one in three rooms in the area where the jewels were stolen lacked CCTV cameras, which allowed the thieves to execute their plan smoothly.

During the raid, the thieves threatened museum guards and quickly broke into display cases containing valuable jewels, including pieces from Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III. Following the robbery, security measures have been reviewed and tightened across all significant cultural institutions in France.

In the wake of the incident, there is growing fear that the stolen jewels may have already been dismantled and sold individually, making them nearly impossible to trace. Consequently, the Louvre has transferred select pieces of its collection to the heavily secured Bank of France for safekeeping.

The unfolding investigation continues to draw significant media attention, underlining the necessity for rigorous security in safeguarding national treasures and cultural heritage.