Five arrests after theft of four Renoir paintings in southern France

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Five arrests after an art theft in southern France: in early September, four Renoir paintings disappeared from a museum – the perpetrators left two of them behind as they fled. Police have now arrested five suspects, as reported by Stern, citing French investigators.

The works by French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir were stolen from a museum in the south of France. How the perpetrators entered the building is not publicly known so far. Which of the four paintings were specifically affected has also not yet been disclosed.

Two of the four paintings left behind during the flight

According to Stern, two of the four stolen works reappeared during the perpetrators' flight. Why the thieves left the paintings behind remains unclear – in art thefts, it repeatedly happens that perpetrators under time pressure abandon parts of their loot, for example when rapid removal becomes more important than transporting heavy or bulky works.

Five arrests – background still unclear

According to Stern's report, five suspects are in custody. The investigators have so far made no further statements about their identities, possible connections between them, or the suspected motive. The value of the paintings still missing and their possible whereabouts are also unknown.

What is known so far – and what is not

• Stolen: four Renoir paintings from a museum in southern France
• Date: early September
• Two of the four paintings were left behind during the flight
• Five suspects have been arrested
• Still open: name of the museum, affected works, estimated value, background

Renoir (1841–1919) is one of the central figures of French Impressionism. Authorities are expected to release further details about the theft and the arrests in the coming days.

Report: Stern Panorama