Thieves buy tickets before plundering necklace worth millions from Vienna museum

Two men are being sought by Austrian police in connection with the theft of a valuable necklace from a museum in Vienna. The necklace, which is a 200-carat platinum piece encrusted with 673 diamonds, was on loan to the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) and is historically significant as it once belonged to Egyptian royalty. The theft occurred during opening hours, and the suspects were able to enter the museum by purchasing tickets, as confirmed by police reports. Surveillance footage captured the two men during the heist, and they did not wear masks, making their identities potentially easier to ascertain. The incident took place on a Thursday, and authorities have released images of the suspects in an effort to aid in their capture. This theft is part of a broader trend of smash-and-grab robberies targeting cultural institutions across Europe, raising concerns about security at such venues. The necklace, valued at millions, was prominently displayed at the museum, and its theft has drawn significant media attention. The police are actively investigating the case and are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of the suspects. The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by museums in protecting valuable artifacts from theft.