Two new people were charged on Saturday following the break-in at the Louvre museum. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said that a 37-year-old suspect is charged with “organised theft” and “criminal conspiracy.” The other, a 38-year-old woman, is charged with complicity. Both have been remanded in custody.
Police arrested five people in connection with the case on Wednesday, one of whom was identified through DNA testing. Three were released without charge, Beccuau said.
The theft sparked heated debate about security at the Louvre, the world’s most visited art museum.
On Friday, Culture Minister Rachida Dati presented the initial findings of an investigation by the General Inspectorate of Cultural Affairs, acknowledging that the Louvre had underestimated the risk of intrusion and theft. The minister also said that the alarms had worked during the theft, but acknowledged “security shortcomings.” She announced that new anti-burglary and vehicle alarm systems would be installed on public roads before the end of the year.
The crime, dubbed “the heist of the century,” was committed by thieves in broad daylight on October 19th. They used a basket lift mounted on a truck to reach one of the windows of the Apollo Gallery and escaped with eight crown jewels within minutes.
