Two men arrested in connection with the Louvre theft two weeks ago have 'partially recognised' their involvement in the brazen heist, according to officials. The pair in custody are suspected of being the two who used power tools to enter the museum's Apollon gallery and steal some of the French crown jewels.
Items worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were taken from the world's most-visited museum on 19 October, when four thieves broke into the building in broad daylight. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the jewels have not yet been recovered, and the gang involved could be larger than the four people captured on CCTV.
The two men, both in their thirties with prior criminal records, were identified by DNA evidence. One suspect was apprehended while attempting to board a one-way flight to Algeria, while the other had no travel plans outside France.
While there is currently no evidence suggesting the theft was an inside job, Beccuau has not ruled out the possibility of additional accomplices being involved beyond those captured on camera. 'I want to remain hopeful that the jewels will be found and returned to the Louvre, and more broadly to the nation,' she said.
One of the stolen items includes a significant crown that previously belonged to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, which was dropped by the thieves during their escape. As investigations continue, security measures have been strengthened at cultural institutions across France, with the Louvre relocating its most valuable jewels to the secure vault of the Bank of France.
Items worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were taken from the world's most-visited museum on 19 October, when four thieves broke into the building in broad daylight. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the jewels have not yet been recovered, and the gang involved could be larger than the four people captured on CCTV.
The two men, both in their thirties with prior criminal records, were identified by DNA evidence. One suspect was apprehended while attempting to board a one-way flight to Algeria, while the other had no travel plans outside France.
While there is currently no evidence suggesting the theft was an inside job, Beccuau has not ruled out the possibility of additional accomplices being involved beyond those captured on camera. 'I want to remain hopeful that the jewels will be found and returned to the Louvre, and more broadly to the nation,' she said.
One of the stolen items includes a significant crown that previously belonged to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, which was dropped by the thieves during their escape. As investigations continue, security measures have been strengthened at cultural institutions across France, with the Louvre relocating its most valuable jewels to the secure vault of the Bank of France.
