Paris Prosecutor Says Arrested Man Is 4th Member Of Louvre Heist Gang
PARIS (AP) — A man arrested by French police earlier this week It is thought that the stealing team was the fourth member crown jewels of france That meant the entire gang that carried out the crime, the Paris prosecutor said from the Louvre Museum on Friday. brazen robbery He is now thought to have been captured.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, who led the investigation, said that the 39-year-old man had a criminal record, had been convicted six times before, including receiving stolen goods, and was given a 2-month suspended prison sentence for this crime in 2010.
He is now accused of robbery by an organized gang; He is punishable by 15 years in prison and conspiracy; This sentence could include up to 10 years in prison if convicted for his suspected role in the sting. October 19 theft -most most visited museum in the world. It was worth the loot of the robbery gang estimated 88 million euros ($102 million) — a monetary value that does not include the huge historical value of the jewels to France.
The prosecutor’s statement did not specify exactly what role the man was thought to have played in the daytime robbery. carried out with grinding machines, hoists and tricks, with robbers in bright vests disguised as workers.
Three other people detained for questioning this week were also released without charges, the prosecutor said.
He said police investigators were continuing their work to “locate the stolen jewelery and pinpoint each person’s role in this organized crime group, as well as clarify how the theft was planned and committed.”
The robbery is believed to have been carried out by a four-man team; The two men entered the museum’s ornate Apollo Gallery, where the jewels are displayed, and were then escorted away on motorbikes by two employees waiting outside.
three menOther suspected members of the robbery team were arrested in October and tried on preliminary charges of burglary by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy. DNA traces were found at the scene or on items linked to the robbery.
Police also arrested a woman in October. He faces preliminary charges of burglary and participation in criminal conspiracy. He is a long-time partner of one of the alleged robbers. The couple have children together and live in the northern suburbs of Paris, which is also the home of other suspects.
Woman denied any involvementsaid his lawyer.
distance not saved. This package includes the diamond and emerald necklace that Napoleon gave to Empress Marie-Louise, jewels attached to 19th-century Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and Empress Eugénie’s pearl and diamond tiara.
Theft attracted attention Security at the Louvre. Museum director admits ‘terrible failure’ and promises setup New security cameras and intrusion prevention systems.
thieves took less than eight minutes Breaking into and leaving the museum, using a freight elevator to reach one of the building’s windows. In the images taken from the museum cameras, two people entering the Apollo Gallery were seen using a grinder to cut the jewelry display cases.
emerald set imperial crown A painting of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, containing more than 1,300 diamonds was later found outside the museum.
