Louvre Heist Unravels: Four More Arrested in $102 Million Jewel Theft

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French authorities have arrested four more individuals in connection with the brazen daylight heist of imperial jewels from the Louvre museum last month. The latest arrests bring the total number of suspects to eight, including two women. The suspects, aged 31, 38, 39, and 40, are from the Paris region and are being held for questioning. The daring heist, which took place on October 19, saw a four-person gang enter the world's most-visited art museum in broad daylight and steal jewellery worth an estimated $102 million. The thieves used a moving truck, ladder, and angle grinders to access the museum's display booths and make off with the treasures. Earlier this month, four individuals were charged over the theft, including a couple who were arrested after their DNA was found in the basket lift used during the robbery. One of the men arrested earlier has a lengthy criminal record, with 11 previous convictions, mostly for theft. The incident has raised concerns about museum security in France, with the Louvre's management facing criticism for prioritizing aesthetics over safety. A 2018 security evaluation had identified the break-in risk at the museum, but the report was only made public after the heist. The Louvre has since pledged to increase police presence and install more security cameras. The stolen jewels, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace given by Napoleon I to his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise, have yet to be recovered. The audacious heist has sparked a wider debate about museum security and the need for greater investment in safety measures to protect cultural institutions from similar incidents.