October 30, 2025 | 06:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – French police have arrested five additional individuals, including a key suspect, in connection with the massive Louvre Museum jewelry heist earlier this month, Paris prosecutors announced on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
"We have captured them," said Laure Beccuau, Paris prosecutor, regarding the main suspect, as reported by Al Arabiya. She added that the jewelry, valued at approximately US$102 million or about IDR 1.6 trillion, remains missing.
DNA evidence links the primary suspect to the theft, indicating that the individual was among the four who executed the swift robbery on October 19.
"As for the other individuals who are in police custody, they are people who may be able to provide us with information about the course of events," Beccuau said.
She added that it was “too early” to give additional details about the suspects.
The five detentions took place on Wednesday in and around Paris, specifically in Seine-Saint-Denis, a region outside the French capital. Two suspects previously detained on Saturday were officially charged on Wednesday with theft and criminal conspiracy after they "partially admitted to the charges," according to prosecutors. They have been placed in pre-trial detention.
Dozens of detectives have been hunting for the four thieves who used a truck with a mobile lift and cutting equipment to break into a gallery on the museum's first floor, fleeing with eight valuable jewelry pieces.
Among the stolen items are an emerald and diamond necklace given by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise, and a diadem formerly belonging to Empress Eugenie, which is adorned with nearly 2,000 diamonds.
Police Admit Security Deficiencies
Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure acknowledged serious shortcomings in the security system at the Louvre Museum following the recent Rp1.6 trillion jewelry heist.
"Our security system does not meet nowadays' standards," said Faure while speaking at the Senate session on Wednesday, as reported by Antara.
He pointed out that outdated surveillance systems and delayed renovation work were the main weaknesses in the security system. A group of thieves reportedly broke into the Apollo Gallery last week by forcing open a window and made off with eight French crown jewels in a matter of minutes.
"A technological step has not been taken," said Faure, adding that some of the surveillance camera networks were outdated and produced low-quality images that are difficult to share in real time.
Faure revealed that the museum's major renovation project, valued at approximately €80 million (about Rp1.5 trillion), is not expected to be completed until 2030. He also disclosed that the operational permits for the museum's security cameras had expired since July and were never renewed.
Significantly, the first alert about the robbery did not originate from the Louvre's internal alarm system, but from a cyclist who called 911 after seeing several men wearing helmets in a construction elevator outside the building.
While rejecting the proposal of placing a permanent police post inside the museum, Faure stated, "I am firmly opposed. The issue is not a guard at a door; it is speeding the chain of alert."
Additionally, the Director of the Louvre Museum offered their resignation, but the French Minister of Culture rejected it. Furthermore, the stolen jewelry, valued at approximately €88 million or Rp1.69 trillion, was reportedly uninsured.
Editor’s Choice: Louvre Museum Reopens in Paris After Jewel Heist
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