Louvre Museum Heist: Two More Arrests in €88 Million Jewelry Theft

Sat Dec 20 2025 18:26:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following the theft of jewelry valued at €88 million from the Louvre Museum, two additional suspects have been charged while two others face allegations of complicity. The daylight heist has raised serious concerns about security within France's cultural landmarks.

Two more individuals have been charged in connection with the high-profile jewelry heist at the Louvre Museum, bringing the total number of suspects implicated to four. The robbery, which saw luxury items worth €88 million stolen, occurred on October 19, and has sparked public outcry and calls for improved security measures at cultural institutions.

Two more people have been charged over a theft at the Louvre Museum last month, the Paris prosecutor's office said.

A 38-year-old woman has been charged with complicity in organised theft and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime. Separately, a man, aged 37, was charged with theft and criminal conspiracy. Both denied any involvement.

Two men who had previously been arrested were already charged with theft and criminal conspiracy after officials said they had 'partially recognised' their involvement in the heist.

Jewels worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were taken from the world's most visited museum on 19 October.

Four men carried out the lightning-quick daylight theft.

Two of the alleged thieves - who had been arrested earlier - later admitted their involvement.

The French public is relieved to see quick progress in the investigation - but many see the whole episode as a humiliating embarrassment for the country.

On Saturday, the woman who has been charged was in tears as she appeared before a magistrate and confirmed that she lived in Paris's northern suburb of La Courneuve, a journalist working for the AFP news agency reported.

The magistrate later ruled that the woman - who has not been named - must stay in custody.

The 37-year-old man - whose identity has also not been revealed - was also ordered to stay in pre-trial detention. He is known to the French justice system for past robberies.

In the meantime, the suspect can remain in detention if a judge believes he or she is a potential danger to the public, or might abscond.

This argument was used to justify the continued detention of the 38-year-old woman. The alleged role of the second suspect - the 37-year-old man - is not clear.

The thieves are reported to have used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the museum. They cracked open display cases using a disc cutter and were in and out in a matter of minutes.

In the aftermath of the theft, Louvre's president noted the museum had failed in its responsibilities while emphasizing an urgent need for improved security measures.

Conclusion: The unfolding details of this high-profile theft have raised serious questions about security protocols within iconic institutions like the Louvre, leaving many eager for reassurances regarding the protection of cultural heritage.