Four Apprehensions Carried Out in Link to Louvre Precious Gems Heist

Another four individuals were taken into custody within the framework of the continuing probe into the last month's heist of priceless jewelry at the Paris Louvre, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.

Details of the Latest Detentions

Two male suspects, 38 and 39 years old, and a duo of females, aged 31 and 40, were arrested on Tuesday. Each hails from the greater Paris area.

Included in this group is believed to be the last participant of a quartet of thieves that reportedly executed the daytime theft, as reported by media sources in France. The remaining trio suspected thieves are already in custody and formally accused, officials say.

Law enforcement has been granted as much as 96 hours to interrogate the suspects. Zero evidence has to date been discovered of the taken jewelry - worth an estimated 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which disappeared on the nineteenth of October.

Prior Accusations and Rejections

Four people have already been indicted over the heist - three men and a woman, who also live in the Parisian area.

One female, aged 38 was charged earlier this month with involvement in organized robbery and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime.

In a distinct case, one male suspect, 37 years old, was indicted for theft and criminal conspiracy.

Both of these individuals, who have not been named publicly, have rejected all accusations.

The Way the Theft Took Place

The theft took place when the group of four men used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to enter the Apollo Gallery by means of a balcony adjacent to the Seine.

The perpetrators employed a cutting disc to force open showcases housing the jewellery.

The robbers remained within for a mere four minutes and executed their getaway on two scooters positioned externally at 09:38, before transferring to automobiles.

One of the stolen items - a royal crown - was lost during the getaway but eight more objects of jewelry - featuring an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his second spouse, the Empress Marie-Louise - were appropriated.

Security Deficiencies and Fallout

Authorities have indicated that the theft was performed by petty criminals instead of experienced crime syndicates.

Shortly after the theft, it was disclosed by the museum's director that the sole surveillance camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was directed away from the terrace used by the perpetrators to gain entry.

The museum's president has since admitted that the museum had failed in its responsibilities, but denied that security had been overlooked - emphasizing that from the moment of her appointment in 2021 she had been consistently alerting of the requirement for additional resources.

Enhanced Protective Steps

Following the event, safeguarding procedures have been tightened around French heritage sites.

The museum has moved numerous highly prized jewelry items to the French central bank in the aftermath of the robbery.