Paris prosecutors say the brazen seven-minute heist at the Louvre — which seized an estimated $102 million in crown jewels — appears to have been carried out by a small-time gang rather than organised crime. Two men were detained earlier, and prosecutors have now charged a 37-year-old man and his 38-year-old partner, who are a couple with children and deny involvement. DNA from both was found on the basket lift used in the raid; at least one suspect remains sought. Investigators warn the jewels could be trafficked on the black market and say inquiries are ongoing.
Louvre Jewel Heist: $102M Theft Linked to Local 'Small‑Time' Gang — Couple with Children Charged
Paris prosecutors say the brazen seven-minute heist at the Louvre — which seized an estimated $102 million in crown jewels — appears to have been carried out by a small-time gang rather than organised crime. Two men were detained earlier, and prosecutors have now charged a 37-year-old man and his 38-year-old partner, who are a couple with children and deny involvement. DNA from both was found on the basket lift used in the raid; at least one suspect remains sought. Investigators warn the jewels could be trafficked on the black market and say inquiries are ongoing.
22:09, 02.11.2025Security
Louvre jewel heist: local suspects, family ties and DNA links
Paris prosecutors say the dramatic daylight robbery at the Louvre that stole an estimated $102 million in crown jewels appears to have been carried out by a small-time crew rather than an organised crime syndicate. The theft lasted roughly seven minutes: thieves used a truck with an extendable ladder beneath the Apollo Gallery, climbed up, smashed a window and used angle grinders to cut into glass display cases before fleeing on scooters.
Initially two men believed to have entered the gallery were detained, charged and remanded in custody. On Saturday authorities charged two additional suspects — a 37-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman — who prosecutors say are a couple with children and who have denied involvement.
Evidence and investigation
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that DNA from both members of the couple was found on the basket lift used in the robbery. She described the man's DNA as "significant" while traces of the woman's DNA may have been transferred indirectly via contact with a person or object. The man refused to make a statement; the couple says they fear for their safety and for their children.
“Their profiles do not correspond to those generally associated with the upper echelons of organised crime,” Beccuau told France Info, saying the suspects appear to be local to the northern suburbs of Paris, particularly Seine-Saint-Denis.
Investigators also noted links between suspects: two of the male suspects were previously convicted together in a 2015 theft case, and several of those arrested are known to police for earlier thefts. The man charged on Saturday has 11 prior convictions, mostly for theft. At least one other person remains sought by authorities.
Stolen items and recovery efforts
During the escape the thieves dropped a diamond- and emerald-studded crown that once belonged to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, but made off with eight other pieces, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace given by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise. The stolen pieces have not yet been recovered.
Beccuau warned investigators are exploring every lead, including the possibility that the jewels could be moved through the black market or used for money laundering. Three people detained with the couple this week have since been released without charge as inquiries continue.
Next steps
Prosecutors say enquiries remain ongoing: forensic analysis of DNA and other traces, review of past convictions linking suspects, and international checks of illicit trade channels for high-value jewellery. Authorities emphasize that the investigation is active and that all avenues are being explored to recover the missing treasures.