Next Story
Newszop

Louvre heist: 30-year-old woman charged with criminal conspiracy in Paris museum theft

Send Push
A 38-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the high-profile jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, according to news agency AFP.

She was arrested earlier this week along with four others and appeared before a magistrate on Saturday, who will decide whether she should remain in custody.

The hearing continued behind closed doors at the request of prosecutors. According to AFP, the woman appeared emotional as she confirmed her address before the court.


The suspect, a resident of La Courneuve in northern Paris, has been charged with aiding organised theft and conspiring to commit a criminal offence.

France was brought to a halt on October 19 after jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) were stolen from the Lourve museam.

Thieves used a basket lift to scale the Louvre’s façade, forced open a window, and smashed display cases, escaping in under seven minutes with eight royal treasures.

image
The stolen collection included a sapphire diadem, an emerald necklace, and Empress Eugénie’s diamond brooch. One piece — Eugénie’s emerald-set imperial crown — was later recovered outside the museum, damaged but repairable.

Also read: 'They grabbed what they could': Days before Louvre heist, thieves looted California museum; more than 1,000 items stolen

Surveillance footage captured four men arriving in a truck equipped with a lift, using it to climb through a first-floor window before escaping along the Seine on motor scooters.

image
Authorities initially arrested two men, aged 34 and 39, who reportedly admitted partial involvement. One, an Algerian national, was identified through DNA found on a scooter used in the escape. The other, an unlicensed taxi driver from Aubervilliers, was detained near his home. Both were known to police for previous thefts.

Five additional suspects were later taken into custody around Paris, particularly in Seine-Saint-Denis. One was released without charge on Friday, while four, including the 38-year-old woman, remain under investigation.
Loving Newspoint? Download the app now