Louvre Museum Arrests Five More Suspects in Jewelry Theft...Stolen Items Still Missing

Additional Suspects Apprehended in Seine-Saint-Denis and Other Areas the Previous Day

In connection with the jewelry theft incident at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, local prosecutors have arrested five additional suspects.

Laure Beccuau, the Paris public prosecutor, announced on the morning of October 30 (local time) via RTL radio that the suspects were apprehended the previous evening in Paris and surrounding areas such as Seine-Saint-Denis.

Prosecutor Beccuau stated, "One of them was a primary target of the investigators," adding, "DNA evidence related to this suspect was found, leading us to believe there is a connection to the theft." She also noted, "The other arrested suspects may be able to shed light on how this incident unfolded." However, despite the additional arrests, the stolen jewelry has not yet been recovered.

People lining up to enter the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Photo by AP Yonhap News Agency

Previously, prosecutors had provisionally charged two suspects who were initially arrested. During a press conference, Prosecutor Beccuau revealed that the two had partially admitted to the charges and disclosed the circumstances of their arrests. A 34-year-old Algerian man was apprehended at around 8:00 p.m. on October 25 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to depart for Algeria. The other suspect, aged 39, was arrested near his residence at approximately 8:40 p.m. the same day. Contrary to some media reports, there was no indication that he was attempting to flee abroad. Both suspects reside in Aubervilliers, in northern Paris, and it has been confirmed that they have prior convictions for traffic violations, theft, and robbery.

Meanwhile, the jewelry theft incident has raised concerns about security at the Louvre Museum. Laurence des Cars, the museum's director, appeared before the French Senate on October 22 and stated, "I will request that the Ministry of the Interior consider establishing a police station within the museum." She expressed concern that "currently, only some areas are equipped with security cameras, and even those are outdated," and added, "The facilities do not cover all the museum's exterior walls."