Two French Thieves in Custody over Jewel Heist at the Louvre

By Jacob Kehoe

Over the weekend, French authorities captured two of the four robbers involved in the Louvre heist. One of the two was planning on escaping France and was apprehended at Charles De Gaulle Airport, about to board a plane bound for Algeria. Unfortunately, for the French authorities and countrymen, the jewels were not with the robbers when they were apprehended. Although four robbers were caught on video attempting the heist, it is still unknown how many individuals are actually connected to the “movie-like” heist. The stolen jewels included a tiara and an earring from the jewelry of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense from the early 19th century. Along with these stolen goods, the crown of Empress Eugenie, Napoleon III’s wife, was found damaged outside the museum. The robbers apparently dropped it while attempting their getaway. 

            The Heist has opened up dialogue about Louver security and the reliability of French police and intelligence agencies. On the other hand, prosecutors have been angered by the many leaks about the ongoing investigation. According to French prosecutors, the increased publicity of the story has caused many people involved to leak critical information regarding the ongoing investigation. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau  had this to say about the breach, “This revelation can only hinder the investigative efforts of the 100 or so mobilised investigators, both in the search for the stolen jewellery and for all the perpetrators. It is too early to provide any specific details.” Further details of the investigation are to come but the biggest heist mystery in years is to this point, still a mystery!