Louvre Heist - BG

This investigation into the Louvre heist, spearheaded by French and American investigators, focused on a swift operation following the October 25th robbery. The primary suspects, an Algerian man and an unlicensed taxi driver, were identified through DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene – the angle grinder, a getaway scooter, and the Louvre window. Surveillance by the BRI team, utilizing mixed-ethnicity operatives in various vehicles and on foot, was crucial in tracking the suspects. The team’s rapid response, facilitated by Paris police’s camera network and forensic teams, led to the Algerian’s arrest at the airport. Further investigation, prompted by the suspects’ admissions, uncovered additional persons of interest, including a woman linked to one of the men. While the arrests represent three of the four robbers, the priceless jewels remain missing. The investigation draws parallels to past art heists, such as the 1964 theft of the Star of India, highlighting the challenges of recovering stolen art and the potential for illicit sales of the recovered materials.