French authorities are making strides in the investigation of the recent jewel heist at the Louvre, as three alleged members of the robbers’ team have been taken into custody. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau disclosed that two of the suspects, a 37-year-old man and a 39-year-old man, were previously convicted together for a theft case in 2015. Beccuau noted that the 37-year-old, who was charged with theft by an organized gang, had a criminal record with 11 prior convictions, ten of which were for theft. His DNA was discovered in the basket lift used to access the museum’s window during the heist. Similarly, the 39-year-old suspect also has a lengthy criminal history, featuring 15 convictions, including two for theft.
Additionally, a 34-year-old man, suspected to be part of the “commando” gang, was charged this week, along with a 38-year-old woman accused of complicity, who is the longtime partner of the 37-year-old suspect. Beccuau remarked upon the close connections among the suspects, all of whom are currently in custody.
Despite ongoing efforts, Beccuau refrained from commenting on the whereabouts of the stolen jewels, stating, “We are examining all the possibilities on the parallel market for selling this jewelry.” Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed optimism regarding the investigation, citing the involvement of at least four perpetrators, with at least one still at large. He acknowledged, however, that while confidence in police work remains high, expectations for a swift recovery of the stolen items should be tempered.
The investigation continues to develop as authorities explore avenues to prevent the stolen jewelry from entering the black market while ensuring justice for the victims involved. This incident, alongside previous high-profile robberies, underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating organized crime in Paris, but also highlights their commitment to addressing such offenses head-on.
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