A group of thieves executed a swift heist, stealing paintings valued at approximately €10 million (£8.7 million) from a museum in Italy in under 190 seconds. The stolen masterpieces included works by Cézanne, Renoir, and Matisse.
Utilizing crowbars, the gang forcibly opened metal bars to enter through a rear entrance of the gallery, which housed the private collection of the Magnani-Rocca Foundation. Within a mere three minutes, they absconded through the gallery’s gardens, located in a grand palazzo near Parma in northern Italy.
It seems the thieves had prior knowledge of the artworks they targeted, suggesting possible surveillance visits leading up to the robbery. Specifically targeting a room dedicated to French artists, they swiftly seized the three paintings, triggering alarms within the museum premises. Despite the prompt response of private security guards and law enforcement, the culprits had already fled the scene.
In their haste, the thieves left behind a fourth painting that they had removed from the gallery walls, which remains unidentified. The museum commented on the well-coordinated nature of the crime, emphasizing that the criminals executed the operation with precision.
The Magnani Rocca Foundation, curated by art historian Luigi Magnani, hosts a diverse collection featuring renowned artists such as Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, and Monet. The theft occurred overnight on March 22-23 but was only publicly disclosed on Monday.