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French authorities announced on Wednesday that two men arrested in connection with the Louvre Jewelry Heist — a daring theft that saw French crown jewels worth $102 million vanish — have “partially admitted” their involvement, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

Partial Confessions in the Louvre Jewelry Heist Case

The pair, both in their 30s and from Seine-Saint-Denis, were taken into custody on Sunday. One was apprehended at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria, while the other was reportedly planning to travel to Mali. Authorities believe the two men used power tools to break into the Galerie d’Apollon, the Louvre’s famous jewelry gallery that once displayed treasures belonging to French royalty.

Beccuau said at least two more suspects remain at large, and more individuals could be involved. “It is too early to provide any further details,” she told reporters. “I will provide additional information at the end of this custody phase.”

Uncertain if Royal Heist had Inside Help

The Telegraph previously reported that investigators had uncovered digital forensic evidence potentially linking a museum security staff member to the thieves. However, Beccuau stated there is currently “no evidence the thieves benefited from inside help.”

Both suspects are French nationals — one also holds Malian citizenship, and the other Algerian citizenship — and are known to police for previous burglary-related offenses. Under French law, prosecutors have 96 hours to charge or release them.

Beccuau expressed “deep regret” that news of the arrests had been disclosed prematurely, warning that the information “can only harm the investigative efforts.”

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Eight Priceless Jewels Still Missing

According to France’s Minister of Culture, eight crown jewels were stolen from display cases in under seven minutes. The missing pieces include:

• A sapphire tiara, necklace, and earrings once worn by Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense
• An emerald necklace and earrings from Empress Marie Louise
• A diamond reliquary brooch
• A diamond tiara and pearl brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie
  One piece — a diamond and emerald crown belonging to Empress Eugénie — has since been recovered near the museum.

Art detective Arthur Brand told BBC News that police have only a week to find the rest before the jewels could be melted down or sold off. “Once that happens, France loses a part of its royal history forever,” he warned.

Louvre and France Respond

In the wake of the Louvre Jewelry Heist, museum officials have moved other priceless jewels to the Bank of France for safekeeping. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the theft in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“The theft committed at the Louvre is an attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our history. We will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

Investigators continue to pursue leads across France and North Africa as the international search intensifies for the missing jewels.