Louvre heist the work of 'petty criminals', Paris prosecutor says

"The recent brazen jewellery heist at the Louvre was carried out by a local group of "petty criminals" rather than a professional gang, Paris's prosecutor Laure Beccuau said yesterday (2 November). Two suspects were charged on Saturday, bringing the total so far to four. Three men, all in their thirties and with hefty criminal records, stand accused of gang fraud and criminal association. A 38-year old woman, meanwhile, is charged with "complicity"."

"More than €88m worth of jewels were stolen from the Louvre's Apollo gallery on 19 October, including a brooch that belonged to Empress Eugénie, Napoleon III's wife, fitted with 2,438 diamond, and a royal necklace comprising 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds, with matching earrings. All four suspects charged so far are from Seine-Saint-Denis, a district north of Paris, Beccuau said on the radio station France Info."

""It is a type of behaviour we do not usually associate with [high-level] organised criminality", said Beccuau. He added, however: "Nowadays we are seeing profiles of people unconnected with [such] networks, who can suddenly rise to commit major crimes". The fourth member of the group that was on the ground for the Louvre heist is still at large and police are still looking for possible accomplices who could have stolen the truck and other vehicles used by the thieves, Beccuau said."

Local "petty criminals" carried out the brazen Louvre jewellery heist on 19 October, not a professional gang. More than €88m of jewels were stolen, including a brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie and a royal emerald-and-diamond necklace with matching earrings. Four suspects have been charged so far: three men in their thirties with significant criminal records accused of gang fraud and criminal association, and a 38-year-old woman charged with complicity who has denied involvement. All charged suspects are from Seine-Saint-Denis. One suspect remains at large, police are seeking accomplices and vehicles, and the jewels have not been recovered.

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