A soldier was seen patrolling the courtyard of the Louvre Museum in Paris on Thursday, October 30, 2025, as security remained tight following recent events. AP Photo
Paris authorities believe small-time criminals were responsible for last month’s daring $102-million jewel robbery at the Louvre. The theft, which took place in broad daylight, has shocked France and sparked an intensive investigation.
On Sunday, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that two of the suspects are a couple with children. She described the group as “small-time offenders,” not part of any organized crime network.
“Their profiles do not correspond to those generally associated with the upper echelons of organized crime,” Beccuau told local media.
A Bold Robbery in Minutes
The heist took place inside the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery, home to France’s crown jewels. In a meticulously planned raid, a four-man team parked a truck below the museum, using its extendable ladder to reach a high window. They smashed through the glass and cut open display cases using angle grinders.
The robbery lasted only seven minutes before the thieves escaped on high-powered scooters, vanishing into the streets of Paris.
So far, the stolen jewels have not been found. Police say they are still searching for at least one more suspect who remains at large.
The Investigation So Far
Two men believed to have entered the gallery were arrested shortly after the crime. They have since been charged and remain in custody. On Saturday, prosecutors announced two additional arrests — a 37-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, identified as a couple.
Both were charged with involvement in organized theft and criminal conspiracy. The man faces direct charges of theft, while his partner is accused of complicity in the crime.
The woman broke down in tears when she appeared in court, telling the judge she feared for her children and for herself. Beccuau said both suspects deny any role in the robbery, with the man refusing to make a statement.
DNA Evidence Links Couple to the Scene
Investigators said they tracked down the pair after discovering DNA inside the basket lift used in the heist. Forensic teams found what the prosecutor called “significant DNA evidence” linking the man to the scene. Traces of his partner’s DNA were also detected, though Beccuau noted they could have been transferred indirectly.
“All this will need to be investigated,” she added.
According to Beccuau, the man already had 11 prior convictions, most of them related to theft. The first two men arrested were also known to police for similar offences.
One of France’s Most Daring Crimes
The robbery has been described as one of the boldest in recent French history — a crime carried out with precision and speed inside one of the world’s most secure museums.
Despite several arrests, the fate of the stolen jewels remains a mystery. Investigators continue to search for clues while the Louvre tightens its security to prevent future incidents.
