Copyright timesnownews
French authorities have charged a 38-year-old woman in connection with the spectacular jewel heist at the Louvre Museum that stunned France and left police scrambling to recover priceless royal treasures, reports AFP. The woman, who lives in the Paris suburb of La Courneuve, was among five people arrested earlier this week. She has been charged with complicity in organized theft and criminal conspiracy. A magistrate will decide whether she will remain in custody as investigators continue to trace the stolen jewels. The thieves, armed with power tools, broke into the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon — home to France’s crown jewels — shortly after opening hours on Saturday morning. Investigators said four suspects arrived in a van equipped with a vehicle-mounted lift to reach a first-floor window overlooking the River Seine. Two men cut through the glass with power tools, threatened guards, and smashed open two display cases before escaping on scooters just minutes later. Authorities said the gang was inside the museum for barely four minutes. Eight valuable pieces were stolen, including a tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie, emerald jewelry from Empress Marie-Louise, and a sapphire set once owned by Queen Marie-Amélie. Several of the stolen jewels, including Empress Eugénie’s crown, were later found damaged near the museum — apparently dropped during the escape. Culture Minister Rachida Dati said footage showed the masked robbers acting “calmly,” describing them as “experienced” and well-prepared. Around 60 investigators are working on the case, which authorities believe was ordered by an organized crime network. French leaders have condemned the theft, calling it “an attack on our history.” Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the jewels were “priceless” and of “immeasurable heritage value.”
