Suspects arrested in theft of Renoir paintings - two works worth 4.2 million euros still not found
In France, several suspects have been detained in connection with the theft of paintings from the museum of artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Local publications write that six people have been arrested, while AFP reported on five people. The two stolen paintings have not yet been found.
Suspects detained in theft of Renoir paintings — two works worth €4.2 million still missing
Nice Matin and BFM TV reported that among those detained on October 7 are two individuals suspected of directly entering the museum.
The arrest operations were carried out in the French departments of Alpes, Var, Hérault, and Doubs. The suspects are expected to be questioned in Nice as part of the investigation into the theft committed by an organized group.
The Marseille prosecutor's office, which is supervising the investigation, did not provide official comments at the time of publication. Consequently, discrepancies regarding the number of detainees remain among sources.
The theft occurred in the early morning of September 8 in the town of Cagnes-sur-Mer in southeastern France. Two individuals entered the Renoir Museum and attempted to take four paintings.
During their escape, they abandoned two works in the museum garden. These were the "Portrait of Madame Stephen Pichon" and "Coco Reading." The second work depicts the artist's youngest son, Claude Renoir, nicknamed Coco.
However, the thieves managed to take the paintings "Madame Colonna Romano" and "Young Woman by the Well." Their total value is estimated at €4.2 million.
The case is being investigated by the Nice judicial police, the central office for combating illicit trafficking in cultural property, and specialized interregional judicial structures in Marseille. According to Nice Matin, details of the investigation are being kept secret to identify potential masterminds.
The Renoir Museum opened in 1960 in the villa where the artist spent the final years of his life. In addition to Renoir's works, its collection includes pieces by Aristide Maillol, Pierre Bonnard, and Raoul Dufy.