Three men will go on trial next year over the suspected theft of thousands of euros worth of silverware from France’s Elysee Palace.
Paris prosecutors said silverware keeper Thomas M. and his partner Damien G. was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of stealing porcelain and other valuable tableware from the President’s official residence.
A third man, Ghislain M., has also been arrested in connection with the theft.
The Elysee Palace reported the disappearance of items that were used for state dinners, estimated to be worth between €15,000 and €40,000 ($17,500 and $46,800), the prosecution office said.
What do we know about the suspected Elysee Palace theft?
Investigators questioning the Elysee staff inquired about one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records revealed that he was planning to steal more goods.
They said about 100 items were found in Thomas M.’s personal locker, his vehicle and his home, including copper vessels, Sevres porcelain, a René Lalique statue and Baccarat champagne glasses.
Police noted that Thomas M. is in a relationship with Damian G., a manager of a company that specializes in online sales of items, particularly silverware.
According to the report, the third suspect, Ghislain M., worked as a guard at the Louvre Museum le parisien Newspaper.
He is banned from returning to work at the museum until a hearing in February is completed.
The Louvre was the scene of a spectacular robbery in October, when thieves disguised as construction workers stole some of the country’s most precious crown jewels – worth €88 million – in broad daylight.
Edited by: Dmytro Lyubenko