French prosecutors have revealed that two of the suspects in the recent $76 million jewelry heist at the Louvre had been convicted in connection with a similar theft a decade ago.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that three members of the suspected four-person “commando team” responsible for the October 19th raid are now in custody.
The thieves broke into the world-famous museum while it was open to visitors, stealing nine valuable items in under eight minutes. They forced open a window, used power tools to cut through display cases, and escaped on scooters — a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood movie.
However, investigators believe the crime was not the work of elite organized criminals but rather small-time offenders from northern Paris suburbs.
DNA evidence linked a 37-year-old man — with 11 prior convictions, including 10 for theft — to the scene via an elevator used in the break-in. Another suspect, 39, with 15 previous convictions, had also been convicted alongside him in a 2015 theft case.
During their escape, the thieves abandoned the most precious jewel — Empress Eugénie’s crown made of gold, emeralds, and diamonds — and left behind tools and other items.
A third man, aged 34, has also been preliminarily charged in connection with the heist.
