Verified Details of the 2025 Louvre Heist
A verified summary of the 2025 Louvre jewel heist — what was stolen, who’s been charged, and how investigators used DNA to identify suspects.
Paris, October 19, 2025 — In broad daylight, as visitors moved through the Louvre’s ornate halls, a team of thieves carried out one of the boldest museum robberies in recent memory. In under ten minutes, they breached the Galerie d’Apollon, home to France’s historic crown jewels, and escaped before guards or alarms could stop them.
The 2025 Louvre Heist: Verified Details
Authorities say four people were directly involved, as reported by Reuters. Two entered via a second-floor window using a truck-mounted furniture lift, removed jewelry from two display cases, exited the same way, and fled on high-powered scooters with two accomplices waiting outside.
The Investigation So Far
According to The New York Times, police believe four people carried out the Louvre heist. Three have been arrested — two suspected of entering the museum and one accused of helping with the getaway — while a fourth remains at large.
A fourth person in custody, a woman and partner of one suspect, has been charged with complicity. All four have also been charged with criminal conspiracy.
DNA evidence found at the scene was key to the arrests. Two of the main suspects, aged 34 and 39, partially admitted involvement during questioning. Both men have previous theft convictions, and prosecutors say they are small-time offenders, not part of an organized gang.
Investigators have also identified links between the 39-year-old suspect and another man involved in a 2015 theft case, confirming earlier speculation that several members of the group already knew one another.
What Was Taken
Eight historic pieces were stolen — including a sapphire tiara, a matching necklace and earring, and an emerald necklace with matching earrings — as reported by The Guardian. A ninth item, Empress Eugénie’s crown (1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds), was dropped during the escape and recovered; it was damaged but is considered restorable.
Arrests So Far
Prosecutors say three of the four alleged perpetrators are in custody and one remains at large, according to Reuters. A fourth person — the partner of one suspect — has been charged with complicity.
Two of the men, aged 34 and 39, partially admitted involvement; DNA traces were key to the arrests. The two suspects previously shared a conviction in a 2015 theft case.
Prosecutors describe them as local petty criminals, not the “upper echelons” of organized crime. Their records include multiple prior thefts and traffic offenses.
Security Failures Under Scrutiny
Louvre director Laurence des Cars acknowledged serious perimeter-camera gaps, as reported by Le Monde. One façade camera was pointed away from the entry window. Lawmakers pressed the museum on how a lift truck could park so close for so long. A larger security overhaul is planned.
Where the Jewels Are Now
The eight stolen pieces have not been recovered, according to Reuters. Soon after the heist, the remaining jewels were transferred to the Bank of France vault for safekeeping.
What’s Still Unknown
- The current whereabouts of the eight pieces
- Whether any broader network helped after the theft (e.g., fencing or laundering)
- The identity and location of the remaining suspect
In Summary
Four people are believed to have carried out a swift daylight break-in that netted eight historic jewels. Three are in custody, one remains wanted, and the missing pieces have not yet been found. Investigators attribute the thieves’ success partly to camera blind spots and continue to pursue DNA-driven leads.
Verified with official statements and reporting from The New York Times, Reuters, Le Monde, The Guardian, and other French and international outlets as of November 2025.
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