Masked burglars have carried out a brazen heist at the Musee Lalique in eastern Alsace, France, making off with around 20 pieces of jewellery worth approximately €4 million. The lightning raid occurred on Sunday morning, with the thieves striking in a very short space of time and triggering the museum’s security systems. The stolen items include several million euros’ worth of luxury jewellery, although no further details on the specific pieces have been released. The museum has confirmed that staff quickly identified the missing items, and police are currently studying CCTV footage as part of their investigation.
The gendarmerie attended the scene and were able to analyse the museum’s CCTV footage, with all the missing items identified by the museum team and their descriptions passed on to the relevant authorities to assist with the search. The investigation is ongoing, and the museum will remain closed over the coming days to prepare for a smooth and safe reopening for its staff and visitors. The Lalique Museum team has thanked everyone involved for their professionalism. The museum in the town of Wingen-sur-Moder, 60 km northwest of Strasbourg, houses more than 650 pieces, including Art Nouveau jewellery, Art Deco glass and crystal.
This latest incident comes less than a year after a similar heist at the Louvre in Paris, where thieves broke into the world-famous museum using an extendable ladder and small chainsaws. Several suspects have been arrested, but the priceless exhibits have not been recovered. The Lalique Museum is dedicated to the life and work of luxury glassmaker Rene Lalique and his family, and is known for its stunning collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco pieces.
