Louvre Heist Suspects Describe Mastermind and Escape

Two suspects in the October Louvre jewelry heist have revealed new details about the crime, including the involvement of a mastermind who allegedly participated directly. Abdoulaye N, a 40-year-old motorcycle stunt enthusiast from Aubervilliers, and Ghelamallah A, a 36-year-old Algerian man, were arrested a week after the heist and partially admitted involvement. In June interviews reviewed by Le Monde, Abdoulaye stated he was promised €15,000–€20,000 for facilitating the heist and knew it targeted the Louvre. Ghelamallah said he was contracted for about €5,000 more and was told it was a jewelry store in Paris. Both refused to identify the mastermind for fear of retaliation. They claimed the mastermind was also a direct participant and was unhappy with the haul—seven pieces of France's crown jewels valued at €88 million—believing they could have taken more. On October 19, the two men, along with two unnamed accomplices, used a cherry picker truck and motorcycles to break into the Apollo Gallery. Abdoulaye drove the truck, and they ascended via cherry picker, broke in, and used an angle grinder to smash display cases. During escape, Abdoulaye dropped Empress Eugénie's crown, damaging it. They escaped on motorcycles after torching the truck, and Abdoulaye handed the loot to the client at a garage in Aubervilliers. The jewels remain missing. Abdoulaye expressed regret, saying, "What we did wasn't right, it's very serious."