Two arrested for stealing jewelry from the Louvre, French media reported

Two suspects have been arrested for stealing precious jewels from the Louvre in Paris, French media reported.

According to Le Parisien newspaper, the men were from the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis and one was preparing to board a flight from Charles de Gaulle airport.

Priceless objects were taken from the world’s most visited museum last Sunday when four thieves with power tools broke into the building in broad daylight.

France’s justice minister has since admitted that security protocols have “failed”, leaving the country with a “terrible image”.

The gang reportedly arrived at 09:30 (0630 GMT), shortly after the museum opened to visitors.

The suspects arrived using a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) through a balcony near the Seine River.

Photos from the scene show a staircase leading to a first-floor window.

Two of the thieves broke in by cutting the window with power tools.

They then threatened the guards, who evacuated the premises, and cut the glass of two showcases with jewels.

A preliminary report revealed that one in three rooms in the raided museum area did not have CCTV cameras, according to French media.

French police said the thieves were inside for four minutes and fled on two scooters waiting outside at 09:38.

Security has been tightened around French cultural institutions, officials said.