NANTERRE, France (AP) — DNA recovered from a protective cover left behind at a crime scene helped French investigators recover two stolen Renoir paintings and uncover what they believe were preparations for another art heist. Four men have been given preliminary charges in connection with the Sept. 8 theft from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera.
Charges against the men include organized theft and criminal association, according to Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone. One of the stolen paintings, “Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano,” sustained a tear, while the other, “Young Woman at the Well,” had slight damage to its frame. The combined value of the artworks is estimated at 4.2 million euros ($4.7 million).
The thieves gained entry to the museum by cutting through a fence with an electric saw and then cut the securing clips of four paintings. An alarm prompted a swift police response, with officers arriving four minutes later. Bessone stated that this rapid response likely caused the perpetrators to panic, leading them to abandon two of the four paintings they had taken.
Investigation and Arrests
The DNA found on the abandoned cover was matched to a 29-year-old man who was already under investigation in a drug trafficking case where police were tracking his vehicle. Vehicle-tracking data revealed that this suspect, accompanied by a 41-year-old man, visited the home of a third individual shortly after the theft. Additionally, surveillance showed the 29-year-old suspect visiting the Maeght Foundation, a modern art collection, on Oct. 3. He was later observed meeting with a fourth man, who has a history with police related to art theft and forgery cases in 2001 and 2003.
Bessone indicated that the arrests were motivated by a strong suspicion that another heist was imminent. The two men believed to be responsible for the museum theft have been preliminarily charged with theft committed by an organized gang and criminal association, among other counts, and have been detained pending further investigation. They have denied any wrongdoing.
The third suspect admitted to receiving the stolen paintings at his residence and hiding them behind a wall beneath a staircase. Investigators successfully recovered the Renoirs from this hiding place. The fourth suspect acknowledged seeing photographs of the paintings but claimed not to recognize them immediately. Both of these suspects face preliminary charges of concealment of stolen paintings and have been released under judicial supervision, with restrictions preventing them from leaving France. Two other individuals initially arrested in connection with the case were released without charge.
Renewed Concerns Over Museum Security
The Renoir Museum, located in the French Impressionist painter's final home, is a prominent attraction on the French Riviera. The theft has evoked memories of past high-profile art heists and intensified calls for improved security and funding for cultural sites across France. Christian Sainte, national director of judicial police, noted that France is frequently targeted by organized criminal groups involved in the theft of valuable cultural heritage items from museums, castles, places of worship, private residences, and art galleries. French museums reported 23 such cases in 2025 and approximately 10 this year.