Two arrested over €88m Louvre jewel heist

Two suspects have been detained in connection with the audacious jewelry theft at the Louvre, authorities said, including a man arrested at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport as he prepared to board an international flight. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau declined to provide full details, saying it was too early to be specific and warning that premature disclosures could hamper the inquiry.

The brazen raid saw four masked intruders use a vehicle-mounted cherry-picker to reach the Galerie d’Apollon, smash display cases and seize eight items from the French royal collection before fleeing on scooters. Prosecutors estimate the value of the stolen pieces at about €88 million (roughly US$102 million). One item was later recovered damaged outside the museum; the remaining treasures have not been found.

Around 100 investigators and forensic specialists have been mobilized to examine DNA, fingerprints and video evidence left at the scene. French media report that DNA traces and abandoned items such as gloves and a high-visibility jacket helped identify at least one suspect. Specialist police can detain and question suspects for up to 96 hours while searches continue.

The incident has exposed stark security failures at the world-famous museum. An initial review found that roughly one in three rooms in the targeted area lacked CCTV coverage, exterior cameras were poorly oriented and perimeter surveillance was described as aging. Museum officials and government figures acknowledged that security protocols failed, prompting criticism and urgent reassessments of protective measures for national treasures.

Experts warned that the stolen jewels could be quickly dismantled—melted down or recut into smaller stones—making recovery far more difficult. In response to the theft, the Louvre has transferred some of its most valuable pieces to the Bank of France’s deep vault for increased protection, and security around cultural institutions has been tightened nationwide.

Investigators say the thieves were inside the gallery for only minutes: they reportedly arrived shortly after the museum opened, used power tools to cut through a first-floor window, forced guards to evacuate, and escaped within about four minutes. The speed and planning of the operation—along with apparent gaps in camera coverage and response—have raised questions about how such a high-profile theft was executed.

Authorities say the probe is far from over. The recent arrests represent a significant lead, but officials stress that recovering the jewels remains a priority and that further arrests or recoveries may follow as the investigation progresses.