Paris woman charged with criminal conspiracy over $102 million Louvre jewel heist

A 38-year-old woman has been charged and remanded in custody over last month’s spectacular jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, during which thieves stole treasures worth about USD 102 million (Euro 88 million).

The woman, who lives in the northern Paris suburb of La Courneuve, was charged with complicity in organised theft and criminal conspiracy. Appearing in court on Saturday, she broke down in tears, saying she feared for her children and herself, according to AFP.

A magistrate ordered her detention, citing a “risk of collusion” and “disturbance of public order.” Another suspect, a 37-year-old man, was also charged with theft and conspiracy and placed in pre-trial detention. Both deny any involvement.

The pair were among five people arrested this week in and around the French capital. The other three have been released without charge. Two men previously detained have already been charged after partially admitting their roles in the robbery.

The daylight raid on 19 October saw four men use a stolen vehicle-mounted lift to enter the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon from a balcony near the River Seine. In just a few minutes, they used power tools to smash display cases and flee with priceless jewels, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace once owned by Empress Marie-Louise.

The robbers escaped on scooters before switching to cars, dropping one diamond-and-emerald crown belonging to Empress Eugnie as they fled. The rest of the stolen jewels remain missing, and investigators fear they may have been smuggled abroad.

Authorities have called the robbery one of the most audacious in French history. In response, Culture Minister Rachida Dati said security at national museums would be overhauled, and the Louvre has since moved some of its most valuable pieces to the Bank of France for safekeeping.

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With inputs from Reuters