Some 49 gold works by 20th century Italian abstract sculptor Umberto Mastroianni on show at the Vittoriale at Lake Garda were stolen a day before the exhibit was due to close, in a one-million-euro heist.
The theft of 49 exhibition pieces occurred overnight before opening hours on Thursday. The thieves left the artworks' empty cases behind.
Investigators assume that the heist is the work of a gang of highly professional burglars, according to Italian media reports. They apparently got into the villa in the city of Gardone Riviera through a side door. Although the alarm system was switched on, it remained silent and security staff did not notice anything, according to reports. Investigators estimated the value of the stolen items, which came from the Mastroianni family, at more than €1 million.
Main Image :courtesy Museum Vittoriale