Paris prosecutor reveals two Louvre jewel theft suspects are a couple with children, describing them as small-time local criminals
PARIS: Two suspects in the spectacular Louvre Museum jewel heist are a couple with children according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
The prosecutor described the suspects as small-time criminals rather than organised crime members during her France Info interview on Sunday.
A four-member gang executed a seven-minute daylight robbery last month stealing jewellery valued at approximately 102 million US dollars.
Thieves used an extendable ladder from a truck to reach the Apollo Gallery window before breaking in with angle grinders.
Two men suspected of entering the gallery have already been charged and remanded in custody.
Prosecutors confirmed on Saturday that a 37-year-old man and 38-year-old woman faced additional charges and custody orders.
Beccuau revealed the newly charged suspects are partners who share children together.
Both suspects have completely denied any involvement in the Louvre theft according to the prosecutor.
The male suspect refused to make any statement to investigators about the incident.
All suspects lived in northern Paris suburbs particularly in the Seine-Saint-Denis region.
Beccuau characterised the group as clearly local people with connections between them.
DNA evidence found in the robbery’s basket lift strongly links the male suspect to the crime.
His partner’s DNA traces were also discovered though possibly transferred indirectly.
The prosecutor noted the 37-year-old man has eleven previous convictions mostly for theft.
Two male suspects were previously convicted together in a 2015 theft case.
Three additional people arrested with the couple this week were released without charges.
Thieves dropped a diamond-and-emerald crown belonging to Empress Eugenie during their escape.
They successfully stole eight other jewellery items including Napoleon I’s gift to Marie-Louise.
Authorities continue searching for the unrecovered stolen jewels across all possible avenues.
Beccuau suggested the treasures could potentially be used for money laundering purposes.
Investigators are examining all black market possibilities for selling the stolen jewellery. – AFP
