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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Ashifa Kassam

Louvre jewel heist by petty criminals, not organised professionals, says Paris prosecutor

Three French policemen in dark blue uniforms, carrying weapons, walk in the courtyard of the Louvre in front of the glass pyramid at its entrance and the ornate, historic stone buildings; people are queuing and standing around outside the museum.
Four people have now been charged over the Louvre jewel heist. Photograph: Abdul Saboor/Reuters

The brazen daytime heist at the Louvre was carried out by petty criminals rather than professionals from the world of organised crime, the Paris prosecutor has said, describing two of the suspects as a couple with children.

The assertion comes two weeks after thieves parked a stolen truck outside the world’s most-visited museum, used a furniture lift to reach the first floor, then smashed their way into one of the museum’s most ornate rooms. Less than seven minutes later, they escaped on scooters with crown jewels worth an estimated €88m (£76m).

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