Hunt Continues for Remaining Louvre Museum Thieves After Arrests Made

French authorities have made significant progress in the investigation of one of the most audacious museum heists in modern history. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Louvre Museum jewel theft that shocked the world on October 19, 2025. However, the hunt continues for the remaining thieves who participated in the daring daylight robbery that netted crown jewels worth an estimated $102 million.

Breaking Arrests in High-Profile Museum Heist

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that French police arrested two men on Saturday evening, October 26, 2025. One suspect was detained at Charles de Gaulle Airport as he attempted to flee the country, reportedly preparing to board a flight to Algeria. The second suspect was apprehended in the Paris region shortly afterward.

Both men, who are in their 30s, were taken into custody on suspicion of organized theft and criminal conspiracy. According to police sources, the suspects have prior convictions and were already known to authorities for targeting jewelry stores in previous robberies.

DNA Evidence Cracks the Case

The breakthrough in the investigation came through forensic analysis of items left behind at the crime scene. Police discovered DNA samples and fingerprints on abandoned equipment, including gloves, a high-visibility vest, a motorcycle helmet, angle grinders, power tools, a blowtorch, and a walkie-talkie.

"Thanks to the work of the forensic police, we were able to find DNA and find these individuals who were recorded in our national police databases," explained Axel Ronde, spokesperson for the French police union CFTC, in an interview with French television channel CNews.

More than 150 DNA samples, fingerprints, and other traces collected from the scene are still being analyzed in forensic laboratories as investigators work to identify additional suspects.

Details of the Brazen Daylight Robbery

The heist, which occurred on Sunday morning, October 19, 2025, was executed with remarkable precision. Four thieves arrived at the world's most visited museum at approximately 9:30 a.m. in a stolen furniture removal truck equipped with an extending ladder and lift.

Wearing high-visibility vests to blend in as maintenance workers, two of the thieves rode the bucket lift up to the ornate first-floor Apollo Gallery. They smashed an unsecured window and used disc cutters to break into two display cases. The entire operation inside the gallery lasted just three minutes and 58 seconds, with the complete heist taking less than seven minutes from start to finish.

The thieves escaped on motorcycles driven by the other two accomplices. While they dropped a diamond and emerald-studded crown during their getaway, they successfully stole eight priceless pieces of French royal history.

What Was Stolen: France's Imperial Treasures

The stolen jewels represent an irreplaceable piece of French heritage. Among the eight pieces taken were:

• An emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave to his second wife, Empress Marie Louise
• A diadem adorned with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III
• Six additional gem-encrusted pieces from France's crown jewel collection

While French officials valued the stolen items at approximately €88 million ($102 million), they emphasized that the historical and cultural value is immeasurable. These jewels tell the story of France's transition from monarchy to modern republic.

Ongoing Investigation and Recovery Efforts

Under French law, suspects can be held for up to 96 hours without charge in organized crime investigations. Prosecutor Beccuau stated that investigators are continuing their search for both the remaining suspects and the stolen jewels, but cautioned that it was "too early" to provide additional details to the public.

More than 100 investigators from the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (the banditry repression brigade) and the Central Office for the Fight against Trafficking in Cultural Property have been mobilized. INTERPOL has also issued an alert to member countries.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed concern about the fate of the jewelry, noting that organized crime groups often break up stolen pieces, melting down precious metal settings and selling gems separately. "The loot is unfortunately often stashed abroad. I hope that's not the case – I remain confident," he stated.

Security Failures and Museum Response

The heist has exposed significant security vulnerabilities at the Louvre. Museum director Laurence des Cars acknowledged "a terrible failure" in testimony before French senators, citing inadequate external camera coverage and a blind spot in surveillance that the thieves exploited.

The only camera installed near the Apollo Gallery was pointed in the wrong direction to capture the window used by the thieves. While internal alarms functioned properly, with the first alarm sounding at 9:34 a.m., the robbers had already gained access to the gallery.

Des Cars defended the museum's €80 million security program and announced plans to increase video surveillance coverage across the entire site, install vehicle barriers, and establish a police post inside the museum. She offered to resign, but Culture Minister Rachida Dati refused the resignation and has requested findings from a security investigation by early November.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many suspects have been arrested so far?

Two suspects have been arrested as of October 26, 2025. Both men are in their 30s and were known to police for previous theft offenses. However, four thieves were involved in the heist, meaning two suspects remain at large.

What is the value of the stolen crown jewels?

The stolen jewels are valued at approximately €88 million ($102 million) in monetary terms. However, French authorities emphasize that their historical and cultural value is priceless and immeasurable.

How did police identify the suspects?

Police used DNA samples and fingerprints found on items left at the crime scene, including gloves, tools, and other equipment. These samples were matched to individuals in France's national police databases.

Have any of the stolen jewels been recovered?

One crown was dropped during the thieves' escape and recovered at the scene. Authorities have confirmed that one other stolen piece has been quietly recovered but have not identified which item. The remaining six pieces are still missing.

When will the Apollo Gallery reopen?

While the Louvre Museum reopened to visitors on October 23, 2025, the Apollo Gallery remains closed as the crime scene investigation continues. No specific reopening date has been announced.

International Implications and Cultural Impact

The Louvre heist has drawn comparisons to the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, which paradoxically increased the painting's fame when it was recovered two years later. Art historians suggest that this robbery may similarly elevate the profile of France's crown jewels on the international stage.

The stolen pieces represent critical chapters of French history, marking the transition from royal rule to the modern republic. Their loss has been described by Interior Minister Nuñez as an "immeasurable" heritage loss that extends far beyond monetary value.

Security experts around the world are studying the heist, which has raised questions about museum security protocols globally. The brazen daylight robbery at one of the world's most famous institutions has prompted other major museums to review their own security measures.

What Happens Next

As the investigation continues, police are pursuing leads on the remaining two suspects and the location of the stolen jewels. The two men currently in custody are being interrogated, and authorities hope they will provide information about their accomplices and the whereabouts of the missing treasures.

French prosecutors have indicated they will release additional information once the suspects' detention period ends. Meanwhile, INTERPOL's international alert remains active, with law enforcement agencies worldwide watching for any attempt to sell or transport the stolen jewels across borders.

The investigation represents a race against time, as experts fear the thieves may attempt to dismantle the pieces to avoid detection. The hope remains that all suspects will be apprehended and France's imperial treasures returned to their rightful place in the Apollo Gallery.