Post by : Rameen Ariff

Paris — Police have taken two people into custody in relation to the audacious theft of $102 million in crown jewels from the Louvre, Paris prosecutors said. A 34-year-old Algerian national and a 39-year-old man have partially acknowledged their roles, while authorities say at least two other participants remain at large.

The incident, which occurred on October 19, saw thieves seize eight items from the crown-jewel collection in under eight minutes. Investigators say the suspects used power tools to breach display cases and entered through a museum window using a freight lift. Surveillance footage identifies four perpetrators, and officials report no current evidence indicating inside collusion by museum staff.

Officials say the 34-year-old was stopped at Charles de Gaulle Airport as he tried to depart for Algeria; his DNA was later linked to a scooter used in the operation. DNA from the 39-year-old was found on a display case and on objects left at the scene, prosecutors added.

The theft has exposed weaknesses in the museum's security set-up. Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure acknowledged that portions of the Louvre's camera system are obsolete and that authorisation to operate some cameras expired in July, creating gaps. A planned $93 million overhaul of security, which includes laying about 60 kilometres of new cabling, is not expected to be finished until 2029-2030.

Culture Minister Rachida Dati said alarms functioned but that shortcomings in protective measures helped make the theft possible. Experts caution that the stolen jewels could be altered or disassembled to obscure their origin, complicating recovery efforts.

As detectives intensify the search for the remaining suspects, they are urging lawmakers to enable advanced measures such as AI-driven anomaly detection to better prevent similar breaches. The Louvre, already challenged by staffing pressures and heavy visitor numbers, now faces intensified scrutiny over how it safeguards national treasures.

The $102 million Louvre jewel heist has drawn global attention for its bold execution and exposed security vulnerabilities, leaving investigators racing to locate the missing treasures and those responsible.

#Global