Two arrested over theft of jewels at Louvre, French media report

In a shocking incident that has left France reeling, two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the audacious theft of priceless crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris. According to reports from French media outlet Le Parisien, the individuals hail from Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, with one of them reportedly attempting to flee via Charles de Gaulle Airport. The heist, which unfolded last Sunday, saw four thieves armed with power tools infiltrate the museum during daylight hours, making off with treasures of incalculable value. The French Justice Minister has since acknowledged a significant lapse in security protocols, describing the incident as a stain on the nation’s reputation. The thieves, who arrived at 09:30 local time, utilized a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon via a balcony near the Seine. Surveillance footage revealed a ladder leading to a first-floor window, through which two of the intruders gained entry using power tools. Once inside, they threatened guards, prompting an evacuation, and proceeded to breach two display cases containing the jewels. A preliminary investigation has uncovered that one-third of the rooms in the targeted area lacked CCTV coverage. The entire operation lasted a mere four minutes, with the thieves escaping on two scooters at 09:38. In response, French authorities have heightened security measures around the country’s cultural institutions. This story is still developing, with further updates expected shortly.