French police arrested two men linked to the spectacular jewelry theft from the Louvre Museum in Paris last Sunday. One of the suspects was detained at Charles de Gaulle airport when he was trying to leave France for Algeria, while the other was captured shortly after in the Paris region, according to the Paris Prosecutor’s Office. Both remain in custody and face charges of organized gang robbery and criminal association.

The robbery, which took place in a matter of minutes, affected the museum’s Apollo Gallery. The thieves entered through a balcony accessible with a mechanical lift installed in a vehicle, cutting the window with power tools before threatening security personnel and cutting the glass of the display cases that housed the pieces.

Among the stolen objects were a pearl diadem from Empress Eugenie and a necklace with sapphire earrings from Queen Maria Amelia, with an estimated value of more than $100 million.

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Authorities highlighted that the theft exposed flaws in the museum’s security protocols, as a preliminary report revealed that one in three affected rooms lacked closed-circuit cameras. The thieves remained inside the museum for just four minutes and fled on two motorcycles that were waiting for them outside.

The incident has sparked criticism about security in French museums and prompted an immediate reinforcement of measures in all cultural institutions in the country. Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Justice, acknowledged that this theft affected France’s image in the international community.

Until now, the recovery of the jewelry has not been confirmed, while the authorities continue with the investigation and search for the other alleged suspects. Detained suspects can be held for up to 96 hours while charges and the extent of their involvement in the robbery are determined.