Theft at Italian museum puts smaller European museums on guard

Crime · First reported 31 Oct, 06:11 · Updated 09:12

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

At a museum near Parma, thieves took works by Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse in a raid lasting under three minutes; the works were valued at about €9 million. Europol said museum thefts were becoming more forceful and increasingly focused on precious metals and gemstones.

On the night of March 22, two men entered the Fondazione Magnani Rocca near Parma through a forced-open window and removed artworks by Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse.
The works, valued at about €9 million, were passed to an accomplice and taken away within three minutes; a fourth man discharged a fire extinguisher when the alarm sounded.
Europol said museum thefts were becoming more forceful and increasingly focused on precious metals and gemstones.

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Key facts

Museum: Fondazione Magnani Rocca near Parma, Italy
Raid date: Night of March 22
Works taken: Works by Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse
Estimated value: About €9 million
Reported duration: Within three minutes
Europol assessment: Museum thefts were becoming more forceful and increasingly focused on precious metals and gemstones