🔗 Share this article

Another four persons have been detained in the context of the continuing probe into the last month's theft of priceless gems at the famous Paris museum, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.

Specifics of the Newest Arrests

Two men, aged 38 and 39, and a duo of females, 31 and 40 years of age, were arrested on Tuesday. All are from the greater Paris area.

Included in this group is believed to be the last participant of a quartet of thieves that is said to have performed the daylight heist, as reported by media sources in France. The remaining trio accused perpetrators were previously detained and formally accused, officials say.

Investigators currently possess up to 96 hours to interrogate the suspects. Zero evidence has yet been uncovered of the taken jewelry - worth an estimated 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which disappeared on the nineteenth of October.

Previous Indictments and Rejections

A group of four have already been charged concerning the theft - a trio of males and one female, who similarly reside within the Paris region.

A woman in her late thirties was formally accused earlier in the month with aiding organized theft and conspiracy to commit crimes aimed at perpetrating an offense.

Additionally, a man, aged 37, was charged with robbery and illegal conspiracy.

The pair of accused, who have not been named publicly, have denied any involvement.

The Way the Theft Was Executed

The robbery occurred when the quartet of male perpetrators used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to enter the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine.

The perpetrators employed a circular saw to crack open showcases which held the precious items.

The robbers remained within for a mere four minutes and fled the scene on two scooters waiting outside at 09:38, before changing to vehicles.

One of the stolen items - a crown - was fallen in the flight but eight other items of jewellery - featuring an emerald and diamond necklace that was gifted by Napoleon I his second spouse, Empress Marie-Louise - were stolen.

Security Failures and Aftermath

It has been stated that the theft was performed by minor lawbreakers rather than sophisticated criminal organizations.

Soon following the robbery, it was announced by the Louvre leadership that the single monitoring device watching the Apollo Gallery was pointing away from the terrace used by the perpetrators to break in.

The museum's president has later confessed that the institution had fallen short in its duties, but denied that security had been overlooked - emphasizing that from the moment of her appointment in the year 2021 she had been repeatedly cautioning of the need for more investment.

Improved Security Measures

In the wake of the robbery, safeguarding procedures have been strengthened for the nation's cultural landmarks.

Officials have relocated a selection of its most valuable gems to the national bank in the aftermath of the robbery.