Two men stole a 200-carat diamond necklace from the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna on Thursday, triggering an international manhunt, authorities confirmed on Friday.
The Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, valued at several million dollars, was snatched from a display case during museum hours. Police said the men broke into the case with a hammer, took the jewelry, and fled toward Stadtpark. No injuries were reported.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are analyzing evidence, CCTV footage, and witness statements to track the suspects. Police confirmed the necklace consists of 673 diamonds set in platinum, originally owned by Egyptian Queen Nazli and auctioned for $4.3 million in 2015. The MAK exhibition featuring Van Cleef & Arpels pieces, including the stolen necklace, has been closed indefinitely following the theft.
Details of the Heist
According to police, the men purchased museum tickets before the incident. One suspect was seen carrying what authorities believe to be a real firearm. Surveillance footage captured the suspects, who did not wear masks. The museum confirmed that security staff and visitors were present during the theft but did not intervene due to the armed threat.
Historical Significance of the Stolen Jewelry
The necklace was crafted in 1939 for Queen Nazli’s daughter’s wedding to the future Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Van Cleef & Arpels described the piece as a “triumph of white jewelry.” The exhibition, which opened in June, was set to conclude on September 27 before its abrupt closure.
Broader Context of Museum Thefts
This incident follows a spate of high-profile museum heists across Europe. In October 2023, thieves stole $102 million in jewelry from the Louvre in Paris in under eight minutes, though most pieces remain unrecovered. Earlier this week, robbers took Bronze Age gold artifacts from a museum in Villena, Spain, and four Renaissance paintings from a separate location. Authorities are examining potential links between these crimes.