French authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with a multi-million jewellery theft from the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris.
Police apprehended one man just as he attempted to board an international flight.
THE LOUVRE HEIST
The brazen heist occurred last weekend when a gang of thieves used a truck-mounted ladder to access the Louvre’s prestigious Apollo Gallery. They did this through a first-floor window.
In a swift, seven-minute daylight operation, they broke into high-security display cases and stole nine precious items.
WHAT WAS STOLEN?
The haul included historic pieces such as a diamond and sapphire tiara worn by Queen Marie-Amélie. The total value estimated at a staggering R1.8 billion.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that investigators tracked down the suspects using DNA evidence found at the scene, according to BBC.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO THE LOUVRE HEIST
Authorities arrested one man in the Parisian suburb of Aubervilliers and captured a second at Charles de Gaulle Airport as he prepared to fly to Algeria.
Reports indicate at least two other accomplices remain at large.
SECURITY FAILINGS AT THE LOUVRE
The audacious robbery has exposed significant security failings at the Louvre. France’s Justice Minister admitted that unsecured windows and a publicly accessible lift contributed to a “terrible failure.”
An internal review revealed that one in three rooms in the targeted wing lacked CCTV coverage, according to CNN.
ASSETS MOVED TO VAULT
For South African art and security enthusiasts, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities even the most prestigious institutions face.
In response, the Louvre has now moved its most valuable assets to the ultra-secure vaults of the Bank of France. The investigation continues as police work to recover the historic jewels.
The investigation continues as the global art world watches, hoping these arrests will lead to the recovery of these priceless, historic artefacts.
