Louvre thieves caught at Paris stadium ahead of football match
Louvre thieves apprehended at a stadium in Paris before a football match (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Paris Louvre robbery that shocked France in October has taken an unexpected turn - some of the suspects were apprehended during a national championship football match, according to France Info.
In France, law enforcement authorities detained four individuals suspected of being involved in the daring Louvre heist.
The suspects were reportedly found in line for the Ligue 1 match between Paris and Lyon, calmly waiting to enter the stadium.
The robbery occurred on the morning of October 19 and lasted only a few minutes. Unknown perpetrators stole nine jewels from Napoleon’s collection. According to prosecutor Laura Beccuau, the estimated value of the stolen items is around €88 million.
How the arrests took place
The arrests were made on the evening of October 29 at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time in Paris. The operation was carried out by members of the French anti-gang brigade. Police reports indicate that the arrests were quick and without incident.
In total, at least seven people have been arrested following the museum theft. According to the investigation, one of the detainees had been under surveillance since the very beginning of the inquiry.
His identity was confirmed through DNA analysis, which linked him to the crime. According to Le Parisien and RTL, he may have been the driver of one of the motorcycles used by the thieves to escape the scene.
Four other detainees are suspected of having connections to the organizers of the heist. Investigators believe they were close accomplices of the criminals and participated in planning the robbery.
What is known about the robbery
The theft of jewels from Napoleon’s collection has become one of the most high-profile incidents in the Louvre’s history. Preliminary reports suggest that the criminals acted professionally and meticulously planned the operation.
Surveillance cameras captured them leaving the museum on motorcycles with the stolen jewels.
The investigation is ongoing, and experts do not rule out the involvement of international criminal organizations.
Football context of the incident
Interestingly, the arrests occurred during one of the most spectacular matches of the French championship. The game between Paris and Lyon ended in a 3-3 draw.
There were two red cards during the match. Lyon remained in fifth place in the league table, while the Parisian club holds 12th position.
For context, France recently announced the adoption of the modernized M51.3 ballistic missile, which will be deployed on nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Authorities emphasized that this version is part of the strategic nuclear forces modernization program and is designed to strengthen the national nuclear deterrence system.
China has also announced plans to expand its partnership with France, highlighting cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, and security, aiming to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
