A 38-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man have been charged in connection with the heist of invaluable items from the Louvre last month.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccau stated on Saturday that the man was charged with theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy, and the woman is accused of complicity.
Both have denied their involvement in the daylight robbery of invaluable crown jewels—a heist that has [unspecified impact] and captivated art enthusiasts globally—Beccau reported, adding that they both remain in custody while the investigation progresses.
Adrien Sorrentino, the lawyer representing the accused woman, informed reporters that his client is “devastated” to have been accused of the crime.
“She cannot comprehend how she is implicated in any of the elements for which she stands accused,” he said.
The woman was in tears when she appeared in the dock on Saturday to confirm her address and hear the charges against her, according to the French daily newspaper Le Parisien.
A total of four individuals have now been charged with the robbery.
Two men, aged 34 and 39, both from north of Paris, were charged this week with theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy.
The 34-year-old, reportedly an Algerian national, was arrested as he was about to board a plane to Algeria at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, prosecutors said. His DNA was found to match traces recovered from a scooter used in the getaway.
Three others arrested in connection with the case have been released.
Sofia Bougrine and Noemie Gorin, legal representatives for one of the three who was released, confirmed that their client was not charged.
“In these serious crime cases, we often find that waves of arrests resemble more of a dragnet approach,” Bougrine told AFP on Saturday.
No information suggests that any of the pilfered items have been retrieved.
Beccuau, the prosecutor, had previously voiced frustration concerning leaks from the investigation to the press, asserting that they risk imperilling [an undisclosed aspect].
An eight-minute heist
Investigators report that the audacious theft occurred in under 8 minutes on the morning of October 19, during which the perpetrators made off with 8 pieces from France’s Crown Jewels. Two of the four thieves gained entry to the museum via the Seine-facing facade at around 9:30 a.m. local time, shortly after the museum’s opening. Using a cherry picker, they directly accessed the Apollo Gallery jewel room on the first floor, which is situated less than 300 yards from the renowned Mona Lisa.
The stolen items include emerald- and sapphire-encrusted diadems, necklaces, and brooches once worn by the wives of Napoleon Bonaparte and other 19th-century royals. One piece—the Empress’s crown, fitted with over 1,000 jewels—was discovered outside the Museum. Other jewels included a tiara and necklace worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, dating to the early 19th century. Officials estimate the collection’s value at roughly $100 million.
Officials revealed that surveillance footage showed the thieves entering “calmly” and smashing display cases containing the jewels. France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the heist as “very professional,” stating there was “no violence” during the incident.
This heist has additionally put President Emmanuel Macron and Louvre director Laurence des Cars under increased scrutiny.
[Blank] characterized the incident as “an assault on a heritage that we treasure because it embodies our history,” and pledged to “retrieve the artifacts” and ensure the perpetrators are “brought to justice.”
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin later admitted significant shortcomings, remarking that the undetected installation of a freight lift on a public street outside the Louvre “indicates that our systems require reassessment.” He further stated that the incident “casts a negative light on France” and verified that a comprehensive security review is being conducted.
Further reporting by Rebecca Schneid