French authorities have added four more suspects to the list of those arrested in the high-profile $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum. The latest arrests bring the total number of individuals detained to date, as the investigation into the crime continues to unfold. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, whose office is leading the case, has confirmed that the suspects—two men and two women aged between 31 and 40—have been taken into custody. However, she has not disclosed the specific roles the individuals are accused of playing in the historic crime, leaving much speculation about the structure of the criminal gang.
The Louvre Museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, has been vocal about the security lapses that contributed to the successful theft. In a recent address, she acknowledged that there was a “terrible failure” in the museum’s security systems, which left the priceless collection vulnerable to criminals. Des Cars noted that the only camera monitoring the museum’s external perimeter was positioned to face away from the balcony that provided access to the Apollo Gallery—a display area where the stolen jewels were kept. Despite the museum’s alarm systems functioning correctly during the incident, the combination of security blind spots and potential oversight has led to calls for a complete review of the measures in place to protect cultural artifacts.
Details of the heist, revealed in the aftermath of the crime, suggest that the thieves employed a sophisticated method to execute their plan. According to reports, the perpetrators used disc cutters to access the display cases where the gems were kept. The museum had upgraded its security in 2019 to prevent weapon-based attacks, but the methods used by the thieves proved to be entirely unforeseen. The gang, believed to have operated in broad daylight, used a truck-mounted lift—typically used by movers—to gain access to the museum’s second floor. Des Cars also shared the museum’s plan to implement stricter security measures with the Committee of Cultural Affairs of the National Assembly, highlighting the need for increased vigilance.
In addition, initial charges have been filed against three individuals who were arrested in October, according to the Associated Press. The case has attracted attention beyond France, particularly as the theft has raised concerns about the security of cultural institutions globally. The BBC quoted Des Cars as saying that the museum’s failure to protect the jewels was a “terrible failure” and that “no one is safe from brutal thieves—not even the Louvre.” The stolen collection includes historic treasures such as Napoleon’s gift to Empress Marie-Louise, jewels associated with 19th-century Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and Empress Eugénie’s pearl-and-diamond tiara, all of which have yet to be recovered.
As the investigation continues, French officials are reviewing the case to determine whether further arrests are likely. Meanwhile, the Louvre remains under scrutiny, with its security measures now being re-evaluated to prevent future incidents. The theft has also sparked discussions about the challenges of protecting priceless cultural artifacts, emphasizing the need for a more robust and comprehensive security strategy at museums worldwide.