
NEED TO KNOW
Four masked men stole three paintings worth over $10 million from the Magnani Rocca Foundation in Italy between on March 22
The heist lasted three minutes and the group escaped by climbing a fence, according to reports
Italy's national police force, the Carabinieri, is investigating the incident and analyzing surveillance footage from the museum
Thieves have stolen three paintings worth millions of dollars during a heist at a museum in Italy, according to reports.
Four masked men entered the Magnani Rocca Foundation villa, located in Parma, on March 22 and took Les Poissons by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Still Life with Cherries by Paul Cézanne and Odalisque on the Terrace by Henri Matisse, according to Rome-based outlet Il Messaggero and the BBC.
The criminals were able to force access into the entrance door and gain entry to a room on the first floor before running off with the paintings via the museum’s gardens, all in three minutes, according to Il Messaggero and broadcaster Sky TG24, per The Guardian.
Credit: Alamy
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
They escaped the area by climbing over a fence, according to local public broadcaster TGR, per the BBC.
The gang allegedly "intended" to steal an unknown fourth painting, but triggered the alarm system and were forced to abandon it during their getaway, according to Il Messaggero.
The outlet reported that the Magnani Rocca Foundation said the operation was "extremely rapid and planned" and allegedly required “precise and coordinated organization”.
The museum said the crime allegedly involved "a clearly planned functional division of the serious unlawful conduct, which, however, was not completed due to the activation of protection systems and thanks to the prompt intervention of internal security, the Carabinieri, and the security institute, to whom we extend our most sincere thanks for their courage and promptness," according to Italian news agency ANSA.
The BBC said the cost of the paintings was worth a combined total of €9 million (around $10.3 million). The cost of Les Poissons alone is reportedly worth €6 million (around $6.9 million).
Credit: Roberto Serra - Iguana Press/Getty
Italy’s national police force, the Carabinieri, is investigating the incident with the support of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Bologna — a unit that specializes in the protection of cultural heritage, per the BBC.
They are reviewing and analyzing video surveillance from the heist. News about the stolen paintings was only made public on Sunday, March 29, according to the outlet.
The Magnani Rocca Foundation was founded in 1977 by critic Luigi Magnani and features masterpieces by iconic artists such as Titian, Goya, Morandi and Monet.
The Carabinieri and The Magnani Rocca Foundation did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Read the original article on People
LATEST POSTS
- 1
There’s ‘super flu,’ COVID, RSV. Is it going around in SoCal? - 2
NASA's Voyager 1 set to achieve historic distance from Earth - 3
Doctors looking into hormone therapy as a way to ward off dementia in women - 4
Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s inclusion - 5
Figure out How to Establish a long term connection with Your Handshake
Relish the World: Notable Caf\u00e9s You Really want to Attempt
What we know about Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis
Administrative building in Sharjah region targeted by Iranian drone, UAE authorities announce
Figure out How to Recognize Early Indications of Depressions
Looking for a great Thanksgiving side dish recipe? These are the crowd-pleasers the Yahoo team swears by.
Discovery of ancient pleasure boat reveals Egypt's maritime history
Israel's Druze use AI to present to UN testimonies of 'sexual terrorism' against Syrian Druze women
Women take pride in Holy Week roles after a Spanish Catholic brotherhood's procession excluded them
IDF begins destroying homes used by Hezbollah as forces move deeper into southern Lebanon













