In a dramatic turn of events that has gripped France and the art world alike, the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris became the scene of a brazen daylight heist on October 19, 2025. In just seven minutes on a quiet Sunday morning, four thieves executed a meticulously planned robbery, making off with eight of France’s priceless crown jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon. As of October 28, authorities have arrested two suspects, but the whereabouts of the stolen treasures remain a mystery.
According to NBC News, the thieves employed a furniture-lift truck and specialized tools to breach a window of the museum. They smashed display cases, threatened guards, and quickly gathered the jewels before fleeing the scene on scooters. The operation, which unfolded with startling efficiency, left both law enforcement and the public stunned by its boldness.
The stolen jewels, valued at approximately 88 million euros (about $102 million), are not just of immense financial worth. As Louvre tour guide Amy Huntington told TODAY.com, “These are symbols of France. They’re above value because they’re parts of history. But once you start taking them apart, that’s when they have actual value.” The loss has sent shockwaves through France, with many regarding the theft as not just a crime, but an assault on the nation’s heritage.
French police wasted no time in launching a sweeping investigation. Within days, DNA evidence collected at the scene was matched to profiles in a police database, leading to the arrest of two men on October 25. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that one of the suspects was apprehended at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, just 40 minutes before he was due to board a flight to Algeria. Both men are in their early 30s, have previous convictions for jewel theft, and were living in Aubervilliers, a suburb northeast of Paris about four miles from the Louvre, according to police spokesman Axel Ronde.
Despite the breakthrough, authorities face a stubborn obstacle: the suspects are not cooperating with investigators. As of October 28, French police report that the two men have refused to divulge any information about the location of the jewels or the identities of other accomplices. Under French law, police can hold suspects without charge for up to 96 hours, meaning a decision to charge or release them must be made by the night of October 29.
“We’re dealing with experienced criminals who are known to the police and the justice system,” Ronde told NBC News foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez. The investigation has also revealed that the heist likely involved more than just the four men seen during the break-in. “It’s unlikely to be only four people,” Ronde explained. “We know well that usually there is an entire network behind, and it’s the network in its entirety that needs to fall and be dismantled, as fast as possible. We are racing against the clock to find these jewels and place them back in the Louvre in a good state.”
The case is being spearheaded by France’s Brigade For The Repression of Banditry (BRB), a special police unit renowned for tackling high-profile crimes. The BRB previously led the investigation into the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris, a case that resulted in the conviction of eight individuals. Robert Wittman, the founder of the FBI’s rapid deployment Art Crime Team, praised the BRB’s efforts during an appearance on TODAY: “The BRB is a great group. They’ve done great investigations, and they’re bloodhounds. They're dogged, so I think that there’s going to be more arrests quickly. Now that they’ve got these two (suspects), there’s a lot more evidence — cell phones, (and) they’ll do a search warrant on the house.”
Yet, despite the progress, none of the stolen jewels have been found. Prosecutor Beccuau confirmed that as of October 21, not a single piece has been recovered. The stakes are high: the longer the jewels remain missing, the greater the risk they could be broken up or smuggled out of the country. However, Wittman offered a glimmer of hope, noting that criminals often hold onto such items rather than quickly disposing of them. “Generally when these situations happen, they don’t dump the jewels. They don’t dump the art right away because they’re worried about getting caught. In places like France and Europe, they can use those to get out of jail free, so there are reasons to keep the stuff in good shape. If they pop the jewels and destroy it and get caught anyway, they’re going to go to prison. They have no bargaining tools.”
Police are encouraged by the fact that both suspects were arrested in Paris, suggesting the jewels may still be hidden somewhere in the city. This raises hopes that a swift recovery is possible, though the risk remains that the treasures could vanish if the wider network is not quickly dismantled. The BRB’s relentless pursuit continues, with investigators poring over evidence, conducting searches, and following up on leads in a race against time.
The audacity of the Louvre heist has drawn comparisons to some of the most notorious art thefts in history, and it has reignited debates about museum security in an age where even the most celebrated institutions are not immune to criminal ingenuity. The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and countless other masterpieces, had long been considered a fortress. The theft has prompted museum officials and law enforcement to review security protocols and consider new measures to protect the nation’s treasures.
For now, the eyes of France—and much of the world—remain fixed on the unfolding investigation. The fate of the crown jewels, symbols of French history and pride, hangs in the balance. As the days tick by, the pressure mounts on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore the stolen artifacts to their rightful place in the Louvre.
While the investigation is far from over, the tenacity of the BRB and the swift arrests have given hope that the story of the Louvre heist may yet have a resolution worthy of the treasures at its heart.
