Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau has announced preliminary charges against four suspects in connection with the recent $102 million heist at the Louvre Museum, where thieves stole a vast array of priceless crown jewels. Three of those arrested are believed to have been part of the team that broke into the museum using disc cutters and left with the stolen jewels.
The first suspect, a 34-year-old Algerian national, was arrested at Charles de Gaulle airport on October 25 after returning from a trip to Algeria, where he allegedly had no return ticket. His DNA matched one of the scooters used in the getaway, suggesting that this man may have been part of the team involved in the theft. According to authorities, the Algerian national has a history of minor offenses but is believed to be the second thief who entered the Apollo Gallery.
Another suspect, also 39 years old and a resident of Aubervilliers, was arrested on October 25 at his home. His DNA was found on one of the glass cases where the jewels were displayed as well as on some items left behind by the thieves. This man is suspected to be the second person who entered the gallery but has denied any involvement in the heist.
The latest suspect to be taken into custody is a 37-year-old man with a long history of theft convictions, including 11 previous convictions for theft alone. His DNA was found inside the basket lift used by the thieves during the heist, where they left behind a small piece of fabric and other evidence that linked him to the crime scene. Despite his own protests of innocence, this suspect faces preliminary charges related to the organized gang involved in the theft.
The fourth person accused of involvement is the partner of the 37-year-old man - a 38-year-old woman with two children who lives in La Courneuve, another northern suburb of Paris close to Aubervilliers. The woman denies any involvement but her DNA was found on the basket lift due to possible "DNA transfer", where she could have left DNA on someone or an item that later transferred onto the basket lift.
All four suspects are currently incarcerated and face preliminary charges related to organized gang theft and conspiracy, though no one has yet been formally charged with the crime.
The first suspect, a 34-year-old Algerian national, was arrested at Charles de Gaulle airport on October 25 after returning from a trip to Algeria, where he allegedly had no return ticket. His DNA matched one of the scooters used in the getaway, suggesting that this man may have been part of the team involved in the theft. According to authorities, the Algerian national has a history of minor offenses but is believed to be the second thief who entered the Apollo Gallery.
Another suspect, also 39 years old and a resident of Aubervilliers, was arrested on October 25 at his home. His DNA was found on one of the glass cases where the jewels were displayed as well as on some items left behind by the thieves. This man is suspected to be the second person who entered the gallery but has denied any involvement in the heist.
The latest suspect to be taken into custody is a 37-year-old man with a long history of theft convictions, including 11 previous convictions for theft alone. His DNA was found inside the basket lift used by the thieves during the heist, where they left behind a small piece of fabric and other evidence that linked him to the crime scene. Despite his own protests of innocence, this suspect faces preliminary charges related to the organized gang involved in the theft.
The fourth person accused of involvement is the partner of the 37-year-old man - a 38-year-old woman with two children who lives in La Courneuve, another northern suburb of Paris close to Aubervilliers. The woman denies any involvement but her DNA was found on the basket lift due to possible "DNA transfer", where she could have left DNA on someone or an item that later transferred onto the basket lift.
All four suspects are currently incarcerated and face preliminary charges related to organized gang theft and conspiracy, though no one has yet been formally charged with the crime.