**Suspects Arrested in Brazen Louvre Jewellery Heist as One Tried to Flee France**
PARIS — Suspects have been arrested in connection with the daring jewellery heist at the Louvre, just as one of them was about to fly out of France, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced on Sunday.
Two men in their 30s, originally from Seine-Saint-Denis—a suburb of Paris known for some of the country’s most deprived areas—were detained on Saturday evening, according to Le Parisien newspaper, which first reported the arrests. Both suspects were already known to French police. Notably, one of them was about to depart for Algeria from Charles de Gaulle Airport when apprehended.
As of Sunday, there has been no indication that any of the stolen French crown jewels have been recovered.
### Prosecutor Voices Frustration Over Information Leak
Prosecutor Beccuau did not disclose the exact number of arrests or provide further details about the suspects. In a statement, she expressed frustration over the premature leak of information about the arrests.
“This revelation can only hinder the investigative efforts of the 100 or so mobilized investigators, both in the search for the stolen jewellery and for all the perpetrators,” Beccuau said. “It is too early to provide any specific details.”
### Interior Minister Praises Investigators Amid Continued Investigation
Under mounting public pressure to deliver results exactly one week after the robbery, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez commended the investigative teams via a tweet but did not release additional information.
### The Heist: A Bold Daytime Robbery
On October 19, four hooded thieves made off with eight precious pieces worth an estimated $102 million from the Louvre’s collection. The audacious crime exposed serious security lapses at the world’s most-visited museum.
The thieves used a crane to smash an upstairs window during visiting hours and escaped on motorbikes. The robbery shook the world, sparking soul-searching in France over what many saw as a national humiliation.
### The Stolen Treasures and Aftermath
Among the stolen items were a tiara and an earring belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, dating back to the early 19th century. Additionally, the crown of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, was found damaged outside the museum. The thieves apparently dropped this piece—made of gold, emeralds, and diamonds—during their getaway.
### About the Louvre
The Louvre Palace, built in the late 12th century, formerly served as the official residence of the kings of France until Louis XIV relocated the royal court to Versailles. It was transformed into a museum in 1793, four years after the French Revolution, to house the royal art collection.
Today, its vast collection features masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue, attracting 8.7 million visitors last year alone.
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