Austrian police are searching for two men following a brazen crime. The perpetrators committed a robbery at a Vienna museum in broad daylight. They stole a unique platinum necklace adorned with diamonds. The incident occurred on August 27 at around 2 PM. The Museum of Applied Arts was operating as usual. The criminals purchased entrance tickets without wearing masks. The men calmly entered the building.
Upon reaching the exhibition hall, the criminals smashed a glass display case. They grabbed the valuable exhibit and headed for the exit. According to law enforcement, one suspect was armed. No visitors or staff were harmed. The criminals fled on foot towards Stadtpark, a city park. The police quickly lost their trail in the green area. Surveillance cameras captured clear images of both men.
Investigators have compiled detailed descriptions of the suspects. The men's heights range from approximately 170 to 175 centimeters. They have slim builds and dark hair. The criminals had dark beards on their faces. The men were wearing black outerwear and dark sneakers. The suspects' footwear featured distinctive white soles. The Vienna police have issued a national and international wanted notice for the criminals. Investigators are examining forensic evidence and footage from the cameras.
The stolen necklace holds immense historical value. It was created by the French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels. The piece was made in 1939. The platinum item is set with 673 diamonds weighing over 200 carats in total. The necklace belonged to Egyptian Queen Nazli. She commissioned it specifically for her daughter's wedding. In 2015, the piece was auctioned at Sotheby's. Experts valued the lot between $3.6 million and $4.6 million.