Interpol, German police join hunt for stolen Louvre jewels
Germany’s Federal Criminal Police and Interpol have joined the investigation into the jewel heist at the Louvre.
Both agencies on Tuesday released a photo of the stolen items and asked for public assistance in recovering the treasures. Interpol has added the Parisian jewels to its database of stolen art, which contains around 57,000 objects.
The robbery on October 19, which saw eight crown jewels valued at an estimated €88 million ($102 million) taken by thieves disguised as construction workers, has caused outrage and drawn sharp criticism of security at the world-famous museum.
Laurent Lafon, head of the French Senate’s Culture Commission, called for urgent improvements. “We are dealing with a security organization that does not meet the expectations one might have for a museum,” Lafon said after visiting the Louvre on Tuesday, citing the need for upgrades, including video surveillance.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati later told the Senate: “The fact that this spectacular theft occurred is a failure.” Dati stressed that the alarm system had functioned and that security staff had followed procedures, but acknowledged: “There were indeed security gaps.” These, she said, must now be addressed.
On Saturday, French police arrested two suspects previously known for theft, identified through DNA evidence.
According to the Le Parisien newspaper, both invoked their right to remain silent during questioning. Two other suspected accomplices remain at large, and the stolen jewels have not been recovered.
