French authorities have apprehended four more individuals in relation to last month's audacious theft of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, valued at an estimated €88 million. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the arrests of two men, aged 38 and 39, and two women, aged 31 and 40, all hailing from the Paris region. These arrests reportedly include the last member of the four-man gang responsible for the heist.

The theft, which took place on October 19, involved a group of men using a stolen vehicle-mounted lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon. The thieves smashed display cases and made off with eight pieces of jewellery, including a necklace once gifted by Napoleon Bonaparte to Empress Marie-Louise. The entire operation lasted under seven minutes, with the culprits escaping on scooters before switching to cars.

Investigation and Arrests

The investigation has led to the arrest of eight individuals so far, with charges ranging from organised theft to criminal conspiracy. Among the arrested are Ayed G and Abdoulaye N, suspected of entering the museum, and Slimane K, believed to have driven one of the getaway scooters. The latest arrests include a suspect thought to be the second scooter driver.

Security Concerns and Museum Response

In the wake of the heist, the Louvre has faced scrutiny over its security measures. The museum's president, Laurence des Cars, acknowledged the lapse but denied negligence, citing ongoing calls for increased security investment since her tenure began in 2021. As a precaution, the Louvre has transferred some of its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France.

Unrecovered Treasures

Despite the arrests, none of the stolen jewels have been recovered. The heist's boldness and the value of the stolen items, including a tiara adorned with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds, have captured public attention. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, has indicated that the suspects have denied involvement, and police have up to 96 hours to interrogate them.