Two thieves stole a diamond-encrusted historical jewelry valued at more than four million dollars from the Museum für angewandte Kunst (MAK) in Vienna, according to the BBC and police reports. The broad-daylight heist has triggered an international manhunt across Europe, with investigators releasing multiple surveillance images of the suspects involved in the daylight museum break-in.
Vienna Museum Diamond Heist Details and Suspect Descriptions
According to Vienna police statements reported by the BBC, the robbery took place at 2 Uhr (2:00 PM) on Thursday inside the museum located on Stubenring in Vienna’s inner city. The two unidentified men bought tickets and entered the museum during regular opening hours. Once inside, they smashed a glass display case and fled into an unknown direction.
One of the suspects carried what authorities believe to be a real firearm during the raid. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. Police deployed canine units to track the perpetrators and have published a detailed description of the suspects:
- Height: 170 to 175 centimeters
- Build: Slim
- Hair and facial hair: Dark hair and a dark beard
- Clothing: Black upper garments and dark sneakers featuring white soles
Did you know?
The Stolen Egyptian Royal Jewelry and Its Provenance
The stolen piece is an exceptional jewelry containing 673 diamonds and weighing over 200 carats, according to reporting by The Guardian. The jewelry previously belonged to the Egyptian royal family. Queen Nazli of Egypt famously wore the diamond jewelry in 1939 during the wedding celebration of her daughter Princess Fawzia and the future Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Sotheby’s in New York auctioned the piece in 2015 for 4.3 million dollars, which equates to roughly 40 million Norwegian kroner. At the time of the theft, the jewelry was displayed as part of a special exhibition highlighting the French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels. MAK Director Lilli Hollein stated in remarks reported by the BBC that the robbery “has hit us hard.” Hollein added that the institution had coordinated security plans directly with Van Cleef & Arpels, emphasizing that safety protocols were prepared meticulously.
Escalating European Museum Thefts and Security Precedents
The Vienna robbery follows a worrying sequence of high-profile museum heists across Europe over the past year. This includes the notable Louvre robbery in Paris last autumn. Compounding these security concerns, thieves stole a 3,000-year-old gold treasure on Tuesday from the MUVI museum located in Villena within Spain’s Alicante province.
In response to these coordinated and aggressive incidents, Europol has issued warnings that museum thefts are becoming increasingly aggressive, according to the BBC.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Vienna museum robbery happen?
According to Vienna police, the robbery occurred on Thursday afternoon at approximately 2:00 PM during regular museum visiting hours.
How much is the stolen jewelry worth?
The diamond-encrusted jewelry is valued at more than four million dollars (approximately 40 million kroner), matching its 2015 auction price at Sotheby’s in New York.
Who previously owned the stolen jewelry?
The piece belonged to the Egyptian royal family and was worn by Queen Nazli of Egypt in 1939.
What items were stolen from the museum in Spain?
A separate incident on Tuesday involved the theft of a 3,000-year-old gold treasure from the MUVI museum in Villena, Spain, as reported by the Museum of Villena and international media.
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