As the hunt for the Louvre jewel thieves intensifies, French authorities have turned to DNA evidence found at the scene of the dramatic $102 million heist. Around 100 investigators are now working to identify the perpetrators who stole eight priceless pieces of jewelry from the museum’s famed Apollo Gallery.

DNA and New Video Evidence

Investigators are analyzing DNA traces discovered on a helmet and gloves left behind in the gallery. However, it remains unclear whether the samples belong to the suspects captured on security footage, NBC News reported.

A new video filmed by a bystander and released overnight shows two masked men fleeing the scene—one wearing a yellow vest and black mask, the other dressed entirely in black with a motorcycle helmet. In the clip, a voice on a walkie-talkie can be heard saying in French, “Looks like the individuals are on scooters. They are leaving, they are leaving.”

Authorities said they are reviewing material from roughly 4,500 surveillance cameras, along with footage from 38,000 interconnected cameras across Paris, in hopes of tracking the thieves’ escape route.

A Daring Heist at the Heart of Paris

The robbery took place early Sunday, when the assailants broke into the Apollo Gallery using a cherry picker and an angle grinder. In less than eight minutes, they made off with nine pieces of jewelry, one of which was later found discarded outside the museum. The total estimated value of the stolen items is $102 million.

Museum director Laurence des Cars stated that the alarm systems functioned properly during the heist. Still, the absence of security footage inside the gallery and the lack of eyewitnesses have raised serious concerns about the Louvre’s security infrastructure.

An internal audit leaked after the robbery described the museum’s systems as “outdated”, echoing complaints from staff who had long accused leadership of delaying security upgrades amid staffing shortages.

Gallery Still Closed Amid Investigation

The Louvre reopened to the public on Thursday, but the Apollo Gallery remains closed as the investigation continues. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests, but officials remain confident that forensic evidence and surveillance data will lead to breakthroughs in the coming days.