A daring daylight heist at the Louvre museum in Paris on October 19 saw €88 million (£77 million) of crown jewels stolen, a crime that has led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man identified by justice officials as Abdoulaye N. French media reports have revealed Abdoulaye N to be a minor social media star with a fervent passion for motorbikes and a history of working as a security guard at the Pompidou Centre.

Abdoulaye N, who was arrested at his home in Aubervilliers, a northern suburb of Paris, six days after the audacious theft, now faces grave charges of organised theft and criminal conspiracy. His trial for a separate case, involving accusations of damaging public property, was postponed by a court in Bobigny, citing an inability to ensure a "serene" hearing due to intense media attention and the recent high-profile events surrounding him. His lawyer, Maxime Cavaillé, has stated that the defence will be "extremely vigilant" in upholding the presumption of innocence and protecting their client's rights amidst the extraordinary nature of the Louvre case.

The heist itself was executed with remarkable speed and precision, lasting less than seven minutes from start to finish. The four-man gang reportedly utilised a stolen truck equipped with an extendable ladder and a freight lift to access a first-floor window of the museum’s Apollo gallery. Two of the perpetrators then shattered an unsecured window and two glass display cases before descending via the lift and making their escape on motorbikes driven by the other two accomplices. Among the eight priceless pieces stolen were an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his second wife, Marie Louise, and a diadem adorned with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds, once belonging to the wife of Napoleon III.

Abdoulaye N's DNA was reportedly discovered on one of the damaged display cases and on items abandoned at the scene, which included gloves, a high-visibility vest, and disc cutters. These findings suggest he is suspected of being one of the two individuals who forcibly entered the gallery. On social media, Abdoulaye N is known as Doudou Cross Bitume, a recognisable local figure who has released numerous videos on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. These videos, often bearing the slogan "Toujours plus près du bitume" (Always closer to the tarmac), depict him performing various tricks on motorbikes in Paris and Aubervilliers, notably near the Stade de France. Some videos also offer muscle-building advice. Investigators have noted that Doudou Cross Bitume is frequently shown riding a Yamaha TMax in these videos, a particularly powerful model of mega-scooter, identical to the type used by the Louvre thieves in their getaway.

Despite his social media persona, neighbours have described Abdoulaye N as "helpful," "decent," and a man who "wears his heart on his sleeve." However, his criminal record is extensive, featuring 15 offences, including possession and transportation of drugs, driving without a licence, and causing danger to others. He was also convicted of robbing a jewellery store in 2014. The Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, revealed that Abdoulaye N has "partially admitted" his involvement in the Louvre heist, though he has provided few details. Another suspect arrested last week in connection with the Louvre case was also convicted in the same 2014 robbery.

Prosecutor Beccuau has indicated that the profiles of the suspects "do not correspond with those one generally associates" with high-level, meticulously planned organised crime. This statement has fueled speculation among French media outlets that the individuals might have been hired by an unknown mastermind. As of now, the stolen jewels have not been recovered, and investigations are ongoing.