French authorities have arrested five individuals in connection with the dramatic $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre museum in Paris, but the royal treasures themselves are still nowhere to be found.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL radio on Thursday that the arrests happened during coordinated police operations across the city and nearby areas.
“The searches that were conducted during the night didn’t allow us to find the loot,” Beccuau admitted.
One suspect was identified through DNA left at the crime scene, leading officials to believe he was part of the four-member team behind the theft. The two others, both former delivery drivers, have reportedly “partially confessed” to breaking into the Galerie D’Apollon.
Among them is a 34-year-old Algerian national, unemployed at the time but previously working in delivery, and a 39-year-old taxi driver who also had delivery experience. Beccuau revealed one man was caught trying to flee to Algeria with a one-way ticket.
The heist took place in broad daylight 11 days ago. Thieves used a furniture elevator to bypass museum defenses and snatch the historic jewels, once worn by French royalty. The daring operation sparked outrage and raised questions about Louvre security.
Unions have criticized staff cuts and underfunding as possible reasons for the breach. For now, the suspects are in custody, but the priceless jewels remain lost.
