French authorities expressed dismay over the premature disclosure of the arrests of two suspects linked to the Louvre jewelry heist. Public prosecutor Laure Beccuau criticized the unauthorized release of information, emphasizing the negative impact on the ongoing investigation involving a large team of investigators searching for the stolen jewelry and the culprits.
While not revealing the exact number of individuals detained, Beccuau mentioned that one suspect was apprehended at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport as he was attempting to leave the country. Reports suggest a second suspect was also captured in the Paris region on the same evening, with no updates provided on the whereabouts of the stolen jewels taken from the Louvre.
According to French media, both suspects are natives of Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb in northern Paris. Law enforcement swiftly acted on the suspects after monitoring them for days, intervening when they discovered one of the men was planning to flee abroad, with one of them intercepted just before boarding a flight to Algeria.
Beccuau, serving as the Paris Prosecutor and head of JUNALCO, which focuses on combating organized crime, indicated that it was premature to disclose further details at this stage. The suspects are currently in pre-trial detention under investigation for “organized theft” and “criminal conspiracy to commit a crime,” a period during which they can be held for up to 96 hours before additional information is shared following the conclusion of police custody.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez commended the diligent work of the investigators, emphasizing the importance of continuing the probe while maintaining confidentiality. The suspects are believed to be part of a criminal group responsible for the daring daylight heist at the renowned museum, where they used a cherry picker to access a window in the Apollo Gallery and stole jewels valued at £76 million.
Among the stolen items were several priceless royal pieces, including sapphire and emerald necklaces, as well as a diamond brooch adorned with 2,438 diamonds. The thieves also attempted to take Empress Eugenie’s emerald crown but dropped it during their escape, leading to its recovery with some damage.