PARIS: French authorities have arrested two men linked to the recent jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, marking a significant development in the investigation. The arrests occurred following a daring robbery on October 19, during which thieves stole eight priceless crown jewels valued at approximately $102 million in just seven minutes.

One suspect was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria. The second suspect was arrested shortly after in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb, north of Paris. Both men, reportedly in their thirties and known to law enforcement, are currently being questioned about their roles in the theft.

The audacious heist involved a group of thieves who, dressed in high-visibility vests, used a mechanical ladder attached to a stolen truck to access a first-floor balcony. They smashed a window in the Galerie d'Apollon with power tools and fled the scene on scooters. Among the stolen items was an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon Bonaparte to his wife, Empress Marie-Louise.

Following the robbery, one of the stolen pieces, the crown of Empress Eugénie, was found abandoned outside the museum, raising questions about the thieves' planning. The incident has sparked public outrage and led to increased scrutiny of security measures at the Louvre, one of the world's most visited museums. In response, museum officials transferred remaining treasures to the Bank of France for safekeeping and temporarily closed the museum, which has since reopened with heightened security.

Investigators are actively pursuing leads to recover the remaining stolen jewels, although experts warn that the high value and portability of the items make recovery challenging. French authorities have vowed to investigate all possible connections to organized crime networks and ensure that those responsible face justice. While the arrests are a crucial step forward, the investigation continues as officials seek to uncover the identities of any accomplices and the fate of the stolen treasures.