ISTANBUL

The Paris public prosecutor said Wednesday that stolen jewels from the Louvre Museum remain missing, but investigators are making "major progress" in solving the heist.

Laure Beccuau said during a news conference that if the two suspects who were arrested Saturday are convicted, they will face up to 15 years in prison and heavy fines.

She added that the two suspects "partially admitted their involvement in the events to investigators."

The two in custody are believed to have used power tools to break into the Apollon Gallery of the museum and steal several pieces of the French crown jewels.

The suspects, both in their 30s and with prior criminal records, were identified through DNA evidence at the scene. Beccuau said the gang involved may be larger than the four captured on CCTV.

She added that at this stage there was no evidence indicating the theft was an inside job, confirming that no museum staff were involved.

"I want to remain hopeful that (the jewels) will be found and they can be brought back to the Louvre, and more broadly to the nation,” she said.

The thieves broke into the Apollo Gallery last week, forcing a window open and stealing eight pieces of French crown jewels within minutes.

The Louvre's director has offered her resignation, which the culture minister has refused. The stolen jewels, valued at around €88 million ($102 million), were not insured.