Three-Minute Heist Stuns Parma: Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse Stolen
Three-Minute Heist Stuns Parma: Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse Stolen
Masked thieves strike a private museum near Parma, vanishing with three priceless canvases in minutes. Investigators chase clues as security bands tighten.
In Parma, four masked men slipped into the Magnani Rocca Foundation late at night and escaped with three paintings in under three minutes. The break-in sent shockwaves through the northern Italian city and raised fresh concerns about museum security.
The works stolen are by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse, including Cézanne's Still Life With Cherries. The trio is valued at several million euros, underscoring the audacity of the caper.
Together the paintings are estimated to be worth about €9 million (£7.8 million), underscoring the high stakes of art crime in the region.
Police say surveillance footage is being reviewed and no arrests have been reported. Investigators are tracing security gaps and reviewing entry points to determine how the thieves breached the facility’s defenses.
The Magnani Rocca Foundation released a brief statement noting the incident will prompt a review of security measures and collaboration with local authorities to prevent a recurrence. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, promising protection for reporters and tipsters who help solve the case.
