Four additional suspects have been detained within the framework of the continuing probe into the recent heist of priceless jewelry at the Paris Louvre, per reports from the Paris prosecutor's office.
Two male suspects, aged 38 and 39, and a duo of females, aged 31 and 40, were arrested on Tuesday. All are from the greater Paris area.
Included in this group is believed to be the remaining individual of a quartet of thieves that reportedly executed the daylight heist, per local news outlets. The remaining trio suspected thieves have already been arrested and indicted, authorities state.
Law enforcement has been granted as much as 96 hours to conduct interviews. No trace has yet been uncovered of the stolen jewels - worth an estimated 88 million euros (76 million pounds; 102 million dollars) - which were stolen on October 19th.
A group of four have already been charged concerning the theft - a trio of males and one female, who similarly reside within the Paris region.
A 38-year-old woman was formally accused earlier in the month with involvement in organized robbery and conspiracy to commit crimes aimed at perpetrating an offense.
Additionally, one male suspect, 37 years old, was charged with theft and criminal conspiracy.
Both of these individuals, who have not been named publicly, have rejected all accusations.
The theft took place when the team of four individuals utilized a stolen mechanical lift attached to a vehicle to breach the Apollo Gallery through a terrace near the Seine River.
The perpetrators employed a cutting disc to crack open exhibition cases containing the jewelry.
The robbers remained within for a mere four minutes and fled the scene on two motor scooters waiting outside at 9:38 AM, before switching to cars.
One of the stolen items - a crown - was fallen in the flight but eight other items of jewellery - featuring an emerald and diamond necklace that Emperor Napoleon presented to his second spouse, the Empress Marie-Louise - were stolen.
Officials have revealed that the theft was performed by petty criminals instead of experienced crime syndicates.
In the immediate aftermath of the heist, it was revealed by the Louvre's director that the sole surveillance camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was facing opposite the balcony the thieves climbed over to break in.
Louvre leadership has since admitted that the institution had fallen short in its responsibilities, but rejected claims that security was neglected - stating that from the beginning of her tenure in 2021 she had been warning constantly of the need for more investment.
Following the event, protective protocols have been tightened around France's cultural institutions.
The museum has moved numerous highly prized jewelry items to the Bank of France following the heist.
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