French authorities have arrested four more suspects in connection to the $102 million jewel heist from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, announced that two men and two women have been taken into custody. The suspects range in age from 31 to 40, according to the Associated Press. Beccuau did not specify their roles in the theft, which took place last month at the Louvre Museum.
Louvre director Laurence des Cars previously acknowledged a ‘terrible failure’ in museum security, stating that despite efforts, the security measures were insufficient to prevent the theft. The heist, which occurred on October 19, involved thieves who bypassed security systems and accessed the Apollo Gallery, where the jewels were stored. Des Cars revealed that the only camera monitoring the museum’s perimeter was facing away from the balcony where the jewels were kept. She also confirmed that all alarms were operational during the crime.
Following the incident, officials have announced stricter security measures aimed at preventing similar breaches. Des Cars shared these new measures with the Committee of Cultural Affairs of the National Assembly. The stolen jewels, including a diamond-and-emerald necklace given by Napoleon to Empress Marie-Louise, are still missing. Des Cars admitted that the method used by the thieves was ‘not imagined at all,’ as the display cases were replaced in 2019 to protect against weapon attacks.
Beccuau has stated that the thieves may have used a truck-mounted lift, a tool typically used by movers, to access the second floor of the museum. The theft occurred in broad daylight, raising concerns about the oversight in security protocols. The Louvre’s director emphasized that the theft was a significant blow, as no one is safe from ‘brutal thieves,’ according to the BBC. Preliminary charges have been filed against three men and one woman arrested in October in connection with the heist.
The incident has prompted global attention, with museums worldwide urged to review their security protocols. The heist has become a focal point for discussions on the vulnerabilities of public institutions to sophisticated crime. The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and to identify any remaining jewels that may still be in circulation.