In the midst of an ongoing investigation into the $102 million heist at the Louvre, the world’s most famous and most visited art museum, motocross legend and bodybuilder Abdoulaye N.
On October 19, a gang of four raided the Louvre in broad daylight and took some of France’s crown jewels, worth an estimated $102 million.
Abdoulaye N was arrested from his home in Aubervilliers, located on the outskirts of Paris, six days after the robbery.
How did the robbery happen?
The robbers stole the jewelery within seven minutes before fleeing the scene. They parked a truck with a ladder under the Apollo museum gallery. They later broke a window and used angle grinders to cut into the glass display to steal the jewelry.
How many suspects were detained?
Four suspects are in custody as part of the investigation. Three of them are believed to be members of the team, the AP reports. However, the identities of the others have not been released.
Who is Abdoulaye N?
— Abdoulaye N (39) is also known as “Doudou Cross Bitume” and is a well-known figure in urban motocross circles.
— According to the Daily Mail, he is also known as a ‘Motocross Legend’ and became famous for his stunts and long rides.
— He rose to prominence through YouTube and Dailymotion videos and has now appeared on TikTok.
— He faces preliminary charges of theft by organized gang and criminal conspiracy.
— The suspect is believed to be one of two thieves who broke into the Apollo Gallery with power tools. His DNA was reportedly found on one of the cases and on items they left behind, the AP reported.
Did Abdoulaye N admit to committing a crime?
The man gave “minimalist” statements to investigators and “partially admitted” his involvement in the Louvre, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.
He is involved in another case
As part of a separate theft investigation, Abdoulaye N was detained in 2019. He was later cleared. He was due to appear in court on Wednesday after being arrested on minor charges of breaking a mirror and damaging a prison cell door.
He was convicted of theft in Paris in 2015 along with another 37-year-old man who was also arrested last week in connection with the Louvre robbery.
“Deafening Alarm Clock”
Pierre Moscovici, head of France’s top watchdog, said the Louvre robbery was a “deafening wake-up call” for museum security.
He said security upgrades at the museum were progressing at a woefully inadequate pace.
The Court of Auditors said in its report that the museum prioritized “significant and attractive operations” at the expense of security.
He also highlighted ongoing delays in deploying security equipment to protect artworks, which the museum “did not resolve” in the period under review.
What was stolen from the Louvre museum?
The thieves took jewelry, including an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave to his second wife. However, they threw away the diamond and emerald-studded crown that once belonged to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
