Suspect with online following accused in audacious Louvre theft
One of the men accused of stealing the French crown jewels from the Louvre has been identified as a well-known urban motocross rider who built a cult following online for performing wheelies on the Champs-Élysées. The accused, named in reports as Abdoulaye N., 39, from Seine-Saint-Denis, is alleged to have been involved in the brazen raid that saw priceless royal items — reportedly worth €88 million — taken from the museum's Apollo Gallery.
The arrest and the allegations
French authorities arrested Abdoulaye and a co‑accused, identified as Ayed G., 34, also from Aubervilliers. Prosecutors say both men have been charged with organised theft and criminal conspiracy and have "partially admitted involvement," according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau. The haul is said to include the diamond‑studded crown of Princess Eugénie; none of the jewels have been recovered.
What investigators say happened
Police accounts describe an ill‑executed getaway: the suspects allegedly dropped the crown during their escape, left fingerprints on display cases and even abandoned a glove at the scene. A cherry-picker truck reportedly hired by the group — allegedly intended to be burned to destroy evidence — was discovered nearby largely intact. Some suspects told investigators they acted "to order" for unnamed figures "from abroad," and one reportedly claimed he believed the museum was limited to the glass pyramid above ground.
From stunt videos to headlines
Abdoulaye cultivated an online presence for years with videos showing high‑risk motocross stunts — including wheelies down the Champs‑Élysées — that drew hundreds of thousands of views on platforms such as YouTube and Dailymotion. Neighbours describe him as a "good‑natured dreamer" who taught motorbike skills to local youths and worked informal taxi shifts when not filming. His social posts mixed pop‑culture references with images of rap figures; he was sometimes known by the nickname "Doudou Cross Bitume."
Co‑accused and wider inquiries
Authorities say the co‑accused, Ayed G., has a lengthier criminal record, including a 2014 jewellery robbery conviction. Additional arrests have been made: two suspects from La Courneuve — a 37‑year‑old man and his 38‑year‑old partner — were charged and remanded in custody but deny involvement. Investigators are probing whether the perpetrators were hired hands for a larger organised group and are exploring possible links to overseas gangs and art‑trafficking networks.
Museum security under scrutiny
The theft has intensified scrutiny of the Louvre's security systems. Media reports and auditors have highlighted alarming weaknesses: trivial passwords reportedly granting access to the museum's video‑surveillance network (allegedly "LOUVRE" and "THALES"), and parts of the IT infrastructure still running on unsupported operating systems such as Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. Officials say an emergency audit has been ordered after culture minister Rachida Dati acknowledged security gaps.
» The interior minister said the presumed mastermind is still at large, while prosecutors have offered lenient sentences to anyone who returns the jewels.
Why the story matters
Beyond the immediate shock of priceless items disappearing from a world‑famous museum, the episode raises questions about security, the role of organised crime in art theft, and how social media fame intersects with real‑world risk. The suspects' alleged amateurish execution — if confirmed — stands in stark contrast to the national embarrassment of such a high‑profile breach.
All allegations referenced here are those reported by French authorities and media; the accused remain entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
