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Mafia link feared in Sicilian grand master theft
Investigators said the theft may have involved organized crime as they examine how four works vanished from a museum with weak security.
- On Saturday evening, thieves stole four paintings by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina from a Sicilian museum while the city celebrated a religious festival.
- Sicily President Renato Schifani confirmed the museum's surveillance and alarm systems had been compromised, prompting an investigation by specialized art police.
- Tourists discovered two of the stolen Antonello works discarded against museum railings shortly after the heist, suggesting thieves may have abandoned part of their haul.
- Messina culture councilor Enzo Caruso linked the theft to organized crime, warning the paintings could serve as bargaining chips or collateral for criminal dealings.
- Caruso cited the infamous 1969 Caravaggio theft from a local church, noting that selling such renowned masterpieces on the black market remains virtually impossible.
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The Billings Gazette+21 Reposted by 21 other sources
Mafia link feared in Sicilian grand master theft
ROME — The theft of four paintings by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina may have involved organized crime and raised troubling questions about security at a museum in the Sicilian artist's hometown, a local official said.
·Billings, United States
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center18Last UpdatedBias Distribution82% Center
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources are Center
82% Center
14%
C 82%
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