Revealed through DNA traces/ Two arrested for Louvre robbery remain in prison

2025-10-30 07:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Two suspects arrested in the spectacular Louvre museum heist have admitted their involvement in the robbery and have been remanded in custody, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Wednesday. The Paris prosecutor also announced that the stolen jewels have not yet been recovered by authorities.

The two suspects appeared before an investigating judge on Wednesday and were formally charged with organized robbery and criminal conspiracy. The two men were arrested on Saturday evening and held in custody, where they were questioned for 96 hours. Two other suspects remain at large.

The first suspect, 34, is of Algerian nationality. He was identified through DNA found on one of the scooters. The second suspect, 39, is a taxi and illegal delivery driver, born in Aubervilliers, a suburb of Paris. He was previously known to police for theft. His DNA was found on the broken glass from one of the shop windows, according to prosecutors. The crime of theft as part of an organized gang can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a heavy fine.

The seven-minute robbery at the Louvre's Apollo Gallery captured the world's attention after thieves made off with 88 million euros ($102 million) worth of jewelry. The thieves raided the Apollo Gallery on the top floor of the Louvre, which houses the French Crown Jewels, on the morning of October 19.

They used a crane to enter the gallery, one of the most ornate rooms in the museum, through a window. They forced their way into two high-security display cases and stole nine pieces of jewelry, including a diamond and sapphire jewelry set worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense.

Meanwhile, more than 100 investigators have been involved in the search for the people and authorities have managed to track down the individuals after analyzing more than 150 DNA samples and examining several items the group left behind, such as gloves, a helmet and high-visibility jackets left at the scene. /CNA