Arrests Made Over Brazen Daylight Heist at Louvre Museum

Suspects accused of stealing jewels worth an estimated $102 million from Paris’s Louvre museum have been arrested, according to a statement released by the Paris prosecutor’s office on Oct. 26.

“One week after the organized theft committed at the Louvre, I confirm that investigators from the BRB (Brigade for the Repression of Banditry) carried out arrests on the evening of Saturday, October 25, 2025,” prosecutor Laure Beccuau wrote, according to a translation.

One of the suspects was taken into custody at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport as he was trying to leave French territory.

Beccuau did not reveal how many suspects were detained, but French media reported that two suspects were arrested.

“I strongly deplore the premature disclosure of this information by informed parties, without due consideration for the investigation,” Beccuau added.

“This revelation can only hinder the efforts of the investigation team mobilized to recover both the stolen jewelry and the group of perpetrators.”

Prosecutors did not release any additional information, saying they don’t want to harm the ongoing investigation.

Nine priceless jewels were stolen in broad daylight in a matter of minutes on Oct. 19 when two suspected thieves used a cherry picker on a truck to break in through a window and enter the museum’s gilded Apollo Gallery as two other alleged accomplices remained outside.

The suspects cracked two glass display cases containing French Crown Jewels and stole nine items before they sped away on motorized scooters.

Law enforcement was able to recover the 1,300-diamond crown of Spanish-born Empress Eugénie (1826–1920), the wife of Emperor Napoleon III. The crown was crushed in the heist, but experts have suggested that it can be restored.

Eight stolen jewels are still missing, including a matching emerald necklace and earrings owned by Empress Marie-Louise (1791–1847), a sapphire tiara, a necklace, a single earring from the parure of Queen Marie-Amélie (1782–1866) and Queen Hortense of Holland (1783–1837), and Empress Eugénie’s bow brooch, tiara, and reliquary brooch.