Jewel heist at prestige Milan showroom
An Italian jeweller’s showroom renowned for its A-list clientele was broken into in the heart of Milan’s fashion district while its owners were away at the Oscars ceremony.
The Casa Damiani outlet, situated in the northern Italian city’s Corso Magenta, was raided by a gang of at least four – and possibly seven – raiders.
A full inventory of stolen items has not yet been completed but the haul is thought to be huge although some of the most precious creations were in Los Angeles at the Oscars ceremony.
The thieves gained access to the showroom by digging a hole in the wall over a period of months and the route enabled the burglars to avoid security cameras which allowed the owners to control access to the premises.
Neighbours had reported hearing noises, usually at night time or in the early morning.
One neighbour, who has not been identified, said: “The noise would stop for days and then start again.”
Pretending to be Italian financial police who wanted to examine the accounts, the burglars then got into the showroom itself unarmed.
In what witnesses described as southern Italian accents, they ordered those present to surrender and bound and gagged them.
Five employees had been in the shop which was due to hold a private viewing for customers.
Damiani was founded back in 1924 and has a list of customers including Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow. Tilda Swinton was wearing a diamond-studded Damiani bracelet when she accepted the Oscar for best supporting actress at yesterday’s ceremony in Los Angeles.
Damiani hosted an event attended by top Hollywood celebrities during the festivities.
