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Two men have been arrested by the judicial police in France following last week’s seven-minute heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, according to a statement from the Paris prosecutor, shared with Newsweek via email. Daring thieves stole historic jewelry valued at $102 million in broad daylight, forcing the world’s most visited museum into lockdown. Why It Matters Investigations into the robbery—which was described as a “terrible failure” for the museum by the Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who has since offered to resign—have been ongoing since the crime took place on October 19. Thieves disguised as construction workers stole eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon in a crime that stunned the world. Police officers in front of the Louvre Museum on 20 October, 2025. (Photo by Jeanne Accorsini/Sipa/2510201704 via AP Images) What To Know On Sunday, October 26, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft, but did not confirm the number. Beccuau said that the arrests were made on Saturday evening by the Paris Brigade for the Repression of Banditry, a special police unit. In the statement, Beccuau criticized an information leak in the investigation. “I strongly regret the premature disclosure of this information by informed individuals, without consideration for the investigation,” she said. “This revelation can only hinder the investigative efforts of the hundred investigators involved in the search for both the stolen jewels and [the effort to] apprehend all of the perpetrators,” Beccuau said, The arrest had been reported by French media outlets, including the newspaper Le Parisien. The outlet reported that two men were arrested on Saturday evening and are thought to have been part of a group of four criminals. One of the suspects was caught at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, as per Beccuau’s statement. It has been reported that he was attempting to board a flight to Algeria in North Africa. The other suspect was reportedly caught later that same evening. Both men are in their 30s and are originally from Seine-Saint-Denis in Paris and are known to the police for burglaries, according to Le Parisien. What People Are Saying Louvre director Laurence des Cars testified before the French Senate’s Culture Committee on Wednesday: “It’s a terrible failure—this theft has exposed weaknesses in our protection system. I offered my resignation, but it has not been accepted.” French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told Europe 1: “There was a burglary at the Louvre, some of the most precious jewels in France were stolen. So obviously it’s a failure, there is nothing else I can say.” French Culture Minister Rachida Dati told the National Assembly, according to NBC News: “The Louvre Museum is much more than the largest museum in the world. It is the showcase of French culture and our shared heritage.” What’s Next Beccuau said in her statement that it is too early to provide details about the arrest, and that information will be provided at the end of the custody phase, which can last 96 hours. The Galerie d’Apollon will remain closed to the public during the probe.
