Louvre Jewel Heist: Two More Suspects Charged as Investigation Expands to Seven Arrests

Charges have now been filed against two more suspects in the daring jewel heist from the Louvre Museum in Paris, raising the total number of arrests to seven. The two suspects, aged 37 and 38 years respectively, were detained earlier in the week and face charges of theft by an organized gang along with criminal conspiracy. Both deny involvement and are in pre-trial detention.

The heist took place on October 19 when several masked people used a truck-mounted lift to gain access to a first-floor balcony of the museum. The thieves fled with eight priceless pieces of Napoleonic-era jewelry in just seven minutes, among them a diamond-studded crown and an emerald necklace which Napoleon I had given as a present. The stolen items are estimated at a value of $102 million.

Two men, previously charged in the case, have made partial admissions to their roles. One was caught at Charles de Gaulle Airport with a one-way ticket to Algeria, and the other was arrested near his residence. One of them was also connected to a scooter used in the getaway through DNA.

Authorities have deployed more than 100 investigators to track down the remaining culprits and recover the missing artifacts. The Louvre's director has also acknowledged the lapse in security and offered her resignation, which the Culture Minister declined.

As the investigation unfolds, none of the treasures have been found, and many questions are being fielded by the public regarding how something so brazen could have taken place in broad daylight in one of the world's most secure museums.