A female suspect implicated in the audacious daytime robbery at Paris's Louvre Museum has been released from custody under strict judicial supervision, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.
The woman, identified as the girlfriend of one of the alleged robbers, was among four individuals placed under formal investigation for their suspected roles in the multi-million euro jewellery theft that has captivated international attention.
Judicial Restrictions and Ongoing Investigation
Under the terms of her release, the suspect cannot leave French territory and is prohibited from contacting other individuals involved in the case. This development comes despite two male suspects having partially admitted their participation in the brazen theft that unfolded in broad daylight.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that investigators have detained three men alongside the woman in connection with the sophisticated heist, which saw thieves make off with centuries-old jewels of immense cultural and financial significance.
The Seven-Minute Heist
The meticulously planned robbery occurred one Sunday morning last month, unfolding with cinematic precision. Two perpetrators parked a movers' lift directly outside the world's most-visited museum before ascending to the second floor.
In a operation lasting less than seven minutes, the thieves smashed a window, used angle grinders to breach display cases, and escaped on scooters driven by two accomplices. The entire operation demonstrated remarkable coordination and audacity, leaving museum security protocols exposed.
Missing Treasures and Security Failings
Despite extensive investigations, no trace of the stolen jewels, valued at over €88 million (£77.5 million), has been found. Security experts have expressed concerns that the distinctive pieces might be broken down or melted, potentially reappearing on the market as smaller components in new jewellery items.
The theft has highlighted significant security shortcomings at the prestigious institution. A recent audit covering 2018-2024 revealed that only 39% of the museum's rooms had camera coverage as of last year. The report criticised the Louvre for prioritising "visible and attractive operations" like new acquisitions over essential security upgrades.
France's court of auditors had issued warnings weeks before the robbery, urging the museum to accelerate long-delayed security modernisation plans. The audit found the institution insufficiently monitored and unprepared for crises, with a tender for security works only issued at the end of last year.
