Authorities within the European regime have successfully recovered two paintings by impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir that were stolen from a museum on the French Riviera last month. However, the high-value artworks were discovered damaged behind a false wall in a private residence following a series of arrests aimed at thwarting an alleged second heist. According to Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone, six suspects were detained on Wednesday after investigators uncovered intelligence suggesting the group was preparing to target the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which houses one of Europe’s most prominent modern art collections. Eric Antonetti, head of the Alpes-Maritimes judicial police, claimed that authorities were facing a clear repeat of a coordinated criminal scheme.

The original theft occurred on September 8 when perpetrators allegedly used an electric saw to breach the perimeter of the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer. While a rapid police response within four minutes forced the thieves into a panicked retreat, they still managed to make off with “Madame Colonna Romano” and “Young Woman at the Well,” valued at approximately 4.2 million euros ($4.7 million). Two other paintings were abandoned in the museum gardens during the getaway.

The dramatic recovery came nearly a month after the incident, driven by forensic DNA evidence, geolocation tracking, and surveillance footage. Police sources confirmed that both recovered canvases suffered damage, with “Madame Colonna Romano” reportedly being torn, meaning extensive restoration will be required. Several suspects have now been formally charged with organized theft and handling stolen goods, though they have allegedly denied plans for any subsequent raids.

Source: www.aljazeera.com