On the morning of October 19, 2025, a daring robbery took place at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Four individuals allegedly burst into the Galerie d’Apollon, broke display cases containing crown jewels of France’s royal collection and made off with eight pieces of extraordinary historic value in just a few minutes.
The thieves apparently used a stolen furniture lift truck, cut a window, and fled via motor scooters.
In the days that followed, investigators mobilized a specialized police unit and collected over 150 DNA and fingerprint samples from the scene and surrounding items such as helmets, gloves and vests.
The meticulous act made it clear that this was no spontaneous act but a highly organized burglary.
How Two Suspects Were Identified and Apprehended
In the investigation’s rapid unfolding, authorities were able to pin down two of the gang. According to Le Monde, one suspect was arrested on Saturday evening, October 25, at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris while attempting to leave the country.
The second man was detained in the suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis north of Paris shortly thereafter. Both men are in their thirties, and both were already known to police for prior theft-related offences.
One holds dual nationality (French-Algerian) and was about to board a flight to Algeria at the time of his arrest. The arrests were made possible by a combination of forensic evidence (DNA, hair, fingerprints), CCTV and a trail of physical items left behind by the perpetrators.
What Does It Mean for the Investigation?
The fact that two out of the four suspected robbers are now in custody marks a significant breakthrough in the probe into what has been labelled one of the most audacious museum thefts in recent years.
Given the complexity of the crime, with high-level planning and use of specialized equipment, investigators regard the arrests as a key step not only in catching the remaining suspects, but also in recovering the stolen jewels.
The haul is estimated at some €88 million (or around $100 million+). Because the men were intercepted at departure points and their movements tracked, analysts believe this arrest may help uncover the broader criminal network behind the job.
Missing Jewels and Two Suspects Are Still at Large
Despite the arrests, several crucial questions remain. None of the stolen jewellery has been confirmed as recovered, except the damaged crown of Empress Eugénie, which was dropped by the thieves during their escape.
The remaining two suspects are still at large, as is the masterminding of the operation. Investigators warn that time is running out: the longer the jewels stay missing, the more likely they are to be broken apart, melted or recut to escape detection.
The justice authorities are also concerned that leaks to the media might hamper the investigation, making it more difficult to locate the remaining perpetrators or recover the items intact.
What Happens Next
Looking ahead, the arrested suspects will be held for questioning under suspicion of organised theft and criminal conspiracy. French prosecutors emphasise that while arrests have been made, the investigation is still active and evolving.
The case has broader implications for museum security and cultural heritage protection: the heist exposed glaring vulnerabilities at the Louvre, which now faces intense scrutiny over its safety protocols.
Moreover, the recovery of the stolen jewels hinges not only on law enforcement but on international cooperation, given that the suspects had flight plans to non-extradition countries. One of the arrested men was heading to Algeria while the other may have been bound for Mali.
If the remaining suspects and their loot are detained, it would reassure the public and cultural institutions that even the most daring of crimes can be brought to account.
