Two Arrested in Connection with Louvre Jewel Heist

French authorities have arrested two men in connection with the recent theft of crown jewels from Paris's Louvre Museum. The heist, which occurred last Sunday, involved the theft of items valued at approximately €88 million (£76 million; $102 million).

One suspect was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria, according to reports. Both individuals are from the Parisian suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis and are known to police for previous burglaries. They were arrested on Saturday evening and can be questioned for up to 96 hours.

The theft took place in broad daylight when four thieves used a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony near the River Seine. They entered the museum by cutting through a window with power tools, threatened the guards, and smashed display cases to steal the jewels. The entire operation lasted less than eight minutes, with the thieves escaping on two scooters.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged that security protocols failed during the incident, stating that the heist painted a "deplorable image of France." A preliminary report revealed that one in three rooms in the raided area lacked CCTV cameras. In response, security measures have been tightened around France's cultural institutions.

The stolen items include tiaras, necklaces, and brooches that once belonged to historical figures such as Queen Marie-Amélie, Queen Hortense, Empress Marie Louise, and Empress Eugénie. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to recover the stolen jewels and apprehend all involved perpetrators.