French police have confirmed that five more people have been arrested in the ongoing investigation into the daytime jewelry robbery that went down at the Louvre in Paris.
As reported by The New York Times via French radio station RTL, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that seven suspects in total have now been apprehended in the investigation. Four of the individuals who were arrested this week include "people who may potentially inform [police] about the unfolding of these events," while the DNA of the other suspect was found at the scene of the crime.
Earlier this month, two individuals carried out a minutes-long heist inside the museum, making off with approximately $100 million of France's crown jewels. The individuals cut through a window to gain access to the second floor of the Apollon Gallery building, smashed several display cases, and fled with the jewels. They made their exit on scooters driven by two accomplices.
Before the five suspects were arrested this week, two other suspects were arrested. One of the suspects was attempting to board a flight to Algeria from Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport. The two individuals have both been charged with theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy, and Beccauau has since suggested they "partially admitted" to taking part in the heist.
Beccuau said that around 100 investigators are working on the case, and they've focused on various methods to track down those responsible.
“Everything obviously begins with the DNA traces, the fingerprints, everything that can be found at the scene,” she said. "Then, we have everything related to video surveillance, and then we have their phones, and then we have the discovery of other objects during the searches, and brick by brick, the investigation is being built and tightening around those who may be involved.”
Among the pieces stolen from the Louvre are Empress Eugénie’s crown, which has been "recovered broken." The full extent of the jewels stolen has not been detailed, and authorities have yet to recover all nine pieces the thieves took off with.