Turin, €1 million heist at Sant'Agostino Auction House in four minutes

A theft with an estimated value of about one million euros was scored in Turin, Italy, at the Sant’Agostino Auction House on Corso Tassoni. The thieves acted in just four minutes, stealing jewelry and watches intended for an auction scheduled for June 9 and 10. The incident is now being investigated by Carabinieri, who are engaged in identifying the thieves. The incident occurred on the night of Saturday, June 6, to Sunday, June 7, from 4:20 a.m. to 4:24 a.m. Carabinieri arrived on the scene at 4:29 a.m., but the thieves had already disappeared. The entire action was recorded by the video surveillance system.

Among the items stolen were valuable valuables: diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies, as well as a ring embellished with a four-carat Colombian emerald flanked by two half-moon-cut diamonds. Also stolen were a pair of flower-shaped white gold earrings, a rare French yellow gold snuff box dating back to the 19th century and made in the Louis XV era, as well as valuable Rolex and Vacheron watches.

“Seeing the pictures was shocking,” said auction house owner Vanessa Carioggia. “The thieves entered with their faces covered, broke through the security systems, and within four minutes as the alarm sounded they headed for the windows. They were armed with heavy sledgehammers and a hose, took everything they could carry away.”

The total auction base value of the stolen goods amounted to about 1 million euros. The Sant’Agostino Auction House has insurance coverage, which has already been activated to protect both the company and the owners of the stolen valuables. In their escape, the thieves probably lost a white gold tennis bracelet with 9-carat brilliant-cut diamonds, which carabinieri found on the floor of the salon.

The auctions on June 8 (Paintings), 9 (Jewelry) and 10 (Watches) will be held regularly, the auction house announced.

Turin, €1 million heist at Sant'Agostino Auction House in four minutes

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