Two people have been arrested in connection to the Louvre heist, where crown jewels valued at $157 million were stolen.
Local newspaper La Parisien reported that one of the suspects was arrested around 10pm on Saturday at the Charles de Gaulle airport, while the other was arrested in Paris.
“One of the men arrested was about to leave the country,” Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.
A source told the AFP that the man was about to board a plane to Algeria.
Both men are reportedly from Seine-Saint-Denis, an outer region of Paris, and both suspects are known to police.
They were arrested on suspicion of organised theft and criminal conspiracy.
It has not yet been revealed whether the stolen crown jewels have been recovered.
French investigators analysed DNA samples and fingerprints from items left behind by the robbers following the heist, including gloves, a high-vis vest, a blowtorch and power tools.
Up to “150 DNA samples, fingerprints and other traces” have been identified, according to Beccuau.
Digital forensic evidence showed a member of security at the Louvre was in contact with the alleged suspects prior to the robbery, according to local media.
“There is digital forensic evidence that shows there was co-operation with one of the museum’s security guards and the thieves,” a source told UK newspaper The Telegraph.
“Sensitive information was passed on about the museum’s security, which is how they were aware of the breach.”
Last Sunday, the Louvre heist made headlines all over the world, when thieves used a basket lift to break into the gallery, where they they stole eight crown jewels.
The museum’s director Laurence des Cars admitted that she was aware the thieves had taken advantage of the CCTV blind spots outside the museum.
She also said she had repeatedly raised the issue of security and requested upgrades of the CCTV network.
“Despite our efforts, despite our hard work every day, we were defeated,” she said.
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