Overview
- Surveillance and the auction house say masked thieves entered Sant'Agostino on Sunday around 04:20 and emptied display cases in roughly four minutes before fleeing.
- Investigators report the perpetrators used heavy sledgehammers and a flex cutting tool to smash vitrines while the alarm sounded, showing a rapid, well‑prepared operation that bypassed physical security.
- The stolen lots were consigned for a June 9–10 auction and included diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and a French snuffbox dated c.1780–1790 according to the house's inventory.
- Carabinieri and the Polizia Scientifica are carrying out on‑site forensic work, no arrests have been announced, and officers recovered a 9‑carat diamond tennis bracelet left at the scene.
- Sant'Agostino has activated its insurance procedures to protect consignors, a step that will determine owners' compensation and could change how the upcoming sale and provenance checks proceed.