Thieves Steal Artworks Valued at 9 Million Euros from Renoir Museum in France
Two thieves broke into the Renoir Museum in southern France, stealing artworks valued at 9 million euros. Mayor Bryan Masson confirmed police are actively searching for the suspects.
Two thieves broke into the museum dedicated to the French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir in southern France, stealing four artworks, though they dropped one during their escape.
The Mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer, Bryan Masson, stated that the total value of the stolen artworks is estimated at 9 million euros (approximately 10 million dollars), according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency.
Mayor Bryan Masson detailed the timeline of the heist:
"This morning, two individuals broke into the Renoir Museum and stole four works of art. The museum's alarm was triggered at 5:48 AM. At 5:53 AM, just five minutes later, our municipal police arrived at the scene."
He added that the suspects were identified by the city's closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. During their flight, the two perpetrators abandoned one of the stolen paintings. Both municipal and national police forces have been deployed to the site, and an active manhunt is underway.
Reflecting on the cultural impact of the theft, Masson emphasized:
"An attack on the Renoir Museum is an attack on a part of the history and heritage of Cagnes. These events are particularly grave. They also confirm the urgent need to implement the comprehensive plan to secure our museums and protect our artworks, a plan to which I am committed. We will dedicate all necessary resources to better protect this heritage, which belongs to all residents of Cagnes."
