Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with a brazen robbery at the Louvre Museum, where eight of France's invaluable crown jewels were stolen. The theft occurred in broad daylight and lasted just seven minutes, leading to a lockdown of the museum on Sunday.

One of the suspects was arrested at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria. This arrest follows the highly organised heist, which saw thieves make off with jewellery valued at approximately £76 million. The gang, dressed in high-visibility vests, used a mechanical ladder from a lorry to access a first-floor balcony. They then smashed through a window of the Galerie d'Apollon with power tools before fleeing on scooters, prompting a widespread manhunt.

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously vowed that the thieves would be caught and the stolen items recovered. Following the arrests, investigators revealed that at least 150 DNA traces, including fingerprints, were left behind by the burglars. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that forensic teams are analysing these samples to identify the four thieves involved in the audacious heist. Beccuau expressed optimism about finding the culprits, noting that if they have prior convictions, their DNA would likely be in police databases.

The DNA traces were discovered on a stolen flatbed truck, as well as on a crash helmet and glove abandoned at the scene. Beccuau emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, "We hope the arrest of the perpetrators comes as quickly as possible to recover the jewellery before their stones are possibly removed and the metals melted."

The Louvre, renowned as the most visited museum globally, welcomed nearly 9 million visitors in 2024, with 80% being tourists, including many from the UK. The theft of historical art pieces is often linked to dealers who aim to sell them on the black market. Authorities continue to investigate the incident as they work to recover the stolen jewels.