Prosecutor says arrested man believed to be member of Louvre heist crew

French police have detained a man this week believed to be the fourth participant in the daring theft of France's crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, Paris prosecutors confirmed on Friday.

Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, leading the inquiry, stated that the 39-year-old suspect has a criminal background, with six prior convictions. He has been formally charged with robbery by an organized gang, which carries a potential 15-year prison sentence, and criminal conspiracy, punishable by up to 10 years if found guilty. Authorities link him to the audacious October 19 robbery at the Louvre, one of the worlds most-visited museums.

The stolen treasures were valued at approximately $102 million, excluding their immense historical significance to France.

The prosecutor did not specify the suspects exact role in the daylight theft, which involved angle grinders, a freight lift, and deceptive tactics. The thieves disguised themselves as workers wearing high-visibility vests.

Investigators believe a four-person group executed the heist: two entered the Apollo Gallery to seize the jewels, while two accomplices awaited outside on motorcycles for the escape. The stolen items have not yet been recovered.

The haul included a diamond-and-emerald necklace given by Napoleon to Empress Marie-Louise, jewels associated with 19th-century Queens Marie-Amlie and Hortense, and Empress Eugnies pearl-and-diamond tiara. The thieves completed the robbery in under eight minutes, using a freight lift to reach the gallery window. Security camera footage showed the intruders cutting into display cases with grinders.

Notably, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon IIIs wife, Empress Eugnie, which contains over 1,300 diamonds, was later recovered outside the museum.

Author: Sophia Brooks