Replay: watch the Paris prosecutor's update on the Louvre heist investigation • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Louvre Museum Heist: A daring theft of jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris.
• BRB (Brigade de Répression du Banditisme): Organized Crime Investigations Unit.
• OCBC (Office Central de lutte contre le trafic des Biens culturels): Central Division for the Fight Against Trafficking of Cultural Goods.
• Investigative Judges: Magistrates responsible for overseeing criminal investigations.
• CCTV Footage: Crucial evidence for tracking suspects and their movements.
• Raised Platform Vehicle: Used by the thieves to gain access to the gallery.
• Disc Cutter: Tool used to cut through display case glass.
• Aggravated Theft: A more serious form of theft, often involving violence or weapons.
• DNA Samples: Biological evidence collected from the crime scene.
• Cybercrime Division: Investigates online activities related to the crime.
• Financial Crimes Division: Investigates financial aspects of criminal activities.

Louvre Museum Heist Investigation Update

This summary details the ongoing investigation into a daring heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, as presented by the Paris prosecutor and key officials. The investigation has made significant breakthroughs, with approximately 100 investigators working tirelessly to identify the criminals and recover the stolen jewelry.

Investigation Team and Efforts

The investigation is being conducted by an inter-regional jurisdiction team, working 24/7 alongside investigative judges and justice officials. Key units involved include:

• BRB (Organized Crime Division): Tasked with hunting down the thieves and locating the stolen jewelry.
• OCBC (Central Division for the Fight Against Trafficking of Cultural Goods): Specialists in cultural goods trafficking.
• Regional Technical Police Divisions and Scientific Divisions: Analyzed over 150 samples from the crime scene.
• Paris Prefecture: Provided expertise reports in record time.
• Cybercrime Division: Investigated online activities relevant to the case.
• Criminal Division, Minor Protection Division, Anti-Prostitution Division, and Financial Crimes Division: Provided support.

Arrests and Suspects

As of the update, two men have been arrested:

1. Suspect 1:

   • Age: 34 years old.
   • Nationality: Algerian.
   • Residency: Living in France since 2010.
   • Profession: No known profession on the day of arrest; previously worked as a delivery man.
   • Criminal Record: Found guilty of minor infractions in the past.
   • Involvement: Owner of one of the scooters used to flee the scene.
   • Arrest: Arrested at 8:00 p.m. at Charles de Gaulle Airport attempting to fly to Algeria with a one-way ticket.

2. Suspect 2:

   • Age: 29 years old.
   • Profession: Claims to illegally work as a taxi driver; previously worked as a delivery man.
   • Criminal Record: Found guilty of aggravated theft in 2008 and 2014; involved in another aggravated theft case to be sent to court in November.
   • Methodology: Mentioned using vehicles as ramming vehicles in past attempts.
   • Arrest: Arrested at 8:40 p.m. near his home. No indication of attempting to flee the country.

Both suspects have partially acknowledged their involvement and are currently speaking with investigative judges. They face accusations of organized crime and multiple cases of theft, with a potential risk of 15 years in prison. They will subsequently appear before a sentencing judge and be heard again by investigative judges.

Two other suspects remain at large, and no further information will be disclosed regarding them to maintain the confidentiality of the ongoing investigation.

Crime Details and Methodology

• Entry: A stolen raised platform vehicle, stolen the day before from the Val d'Oise region, was used to enter the gallery. The victim of the vehicle theft was temporarily held hostage during the theft.
• Perpetrators: Four criminals, wearing high-viz vests to appear as workers, were identified on site via CCTV.
• Access: They used the raised platform vehicle to reach the Apollo's Gallery platform.
• Theft: They broke a window, accessed two display cases, and cut the glass using a disc cutter.
• Timing: The jewels were stolen at 9:38 a.m.
• Escape: They exited the same way they entered. The Crown of Eugénie was dropped during their escape and requires restoration due to damage.
• Evidence: 189 pieces of evidence have been collected from the crime scene and searches. Traces of fuel were found on the vehicle, along with a nearby jerry can, though the fuel was not used to set fire to the platform.
• Escape Route: They fled on scooters by the Seine River, returned to their cars located nearby, and then headed east.

Evidence Analysis and Findings

• CCTV Footage: Extensive analysis of CCTV footage from Paris and the Louvre Museum was crucial in determining the criminals' prior movements, their ability to change vehicles, and their exact trajectory.
• Scientific Analysis: Over 150 samples from the crime scene were analyzed by scientific divisions.
• DNA Samples: Contrary to some media reports, DNA samples did not originate from hair or high-viz vests. The prosecutor stated that while there is a lot of evidence to work with, specific details about DNA matches will not be disclosed at this time. Any new DNA samples will be compared to existing data to identify potential matches with current suspects or other individuals.
• Witnesses: Approximately 20 witnesses have been interviewed. No witnesses reported feeling threatened, and there is no evidence to suggest accomplices within the museum staff.

Legal Proceedings and Future Steps

• Charges: The two arrested suspects are being investigated for organized crime and multiple cases of theft.
• Sentencing: They face a potential of 15 years in prison and will appear before a sentencing judge.
• Confidentiality: The investigation remains confidential due to the two outstanding suspects.
• Recovery of Jewels: Once the stolen jewels are found, they will be returned to the Louvre Museum and the French Nation. The prosecutor emphasized that these jewels cannot be sold, and anyone attempting to buy them would be complicit in the crime.
• Future Updates: Further information will be disclosed as it becomes available and when it can be shared without compromising the investigation.

Prosecutor's Statements and Key Quotes

• "Nevertheless, we have made some major breakthroughs."
• "I wanted all of us to be here because I want to take this opportunity to thank all those people who are working in their respective teams."
• "We have also called upon support from the other legal police divisions from the criminal division, the minor protection division, the anti anti-prostitution division. We have also been working with the financial crimes division. This is just to name a few."
• "In short, I would like to make special mention of everyone's considerable efforts with some 100 investigators working day and night over the past few weeks to identify the criminals and again to locate the stolen jewelry."
• "Apparent it is apparent that these were the two men who entered the Lou Museum."
• "Contrary to what some media outlets have said, the DNA samples have not come from either hair or the use of a high viz vest."
• "They have partially acknowledged their involvement in the events."
• "These jewels cannot be sold. If they ever tried to sell them, anyone who bought them would make themselves guilty guilty and complicit in this crime."
• "Nevertheless, for the sound carrying out of the investigations, we need people to remain calm and discreet."
• "I can't name each and every one of them because there are so many of them."
• "Now, I don't think there is any point going into further detail. Now, But given that one of the suspects was about to leave the country on Saturday, that is the reason why we accelerated the arrest procedures."
• "Hopefully next time we meet all of us will be able to speak because that would mean that our investigation has been highly successful."

Conclusion

The investigation into the Louvre Museum heist is progressing with significant efforts from multiple law enforcement agencies. Two suspects have been arrested and have partially admitted to their involvement. The focus remains on identifying the remaining suspects, recovering the stolen jewels, and ensuring justice is served. The prosecutor stressed the importance of maintaining discretion and calm to allow the investigation to proceed effectively.