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According to Le Parisien Newspaper, one of the suspects was apprehended around 10pm local time on Saturday at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport as he was about to board a plane. Another was arrested a short time later in the Paris region. Le Parisien is now reporting the men arrested are from Seine-Saint-Denis. Further reports state the suspects are known to police. Last Sunday, nine items were taken by four thieves wielding power tools – with two cutting the glass of the display cases which held the jewels. One of the pieces, a diamond and emerald-studded crown, was dropped during the heist. Footage released days ago shows the robbers’ slow getaway as a mechanical ladder attached to a truck lowered them from the first floor of the iconic museum. At least two of the burglars, one wearing a hi-vis vest and the other a helmet, were in the bucket lift and frantically looked around as members of the public and cars drove past. They then quickly jumped on scooters parked nearby and fled the scene with eight high-valued pieces of jewellery in broad daylight. The arrests come after French detectives claimed the brazen daylight heist was likely the result of an inside job. Digital forensic evidence showed a member of security at the Louvre was in contact with individuals thought to be the perpetrators prior to the robbery, according to local media. “There is digital forensic evidence that shows there was co-operation with one of the museum's security guards and the thieves,” a source told the Telegraph. “Sensitive information was passed on about the museum’s security, which is how they were aware of the breach.” Louvre director Laurence des Cars came under fire this week over the security of one of the world’s most visited sites. Ms des Cars told a senate committee that she had offered her resignation, but it had been refused by Culture Minister Rachida Dati. “Despite our efforts, despite our hard work every day, we were defeated,” said Ms des Cars. More to come
