A gang of masked thieves broke into the Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder, northeastern France, early Sunday morning on July 5, 2026, stealing approximately 20 pieces of crystal jewelry valued at nearly 4 million euros (over $4.5 million).
The burglars forced a door open at around 5:30 a. m.
>>> Oscar Piastri Reportedly Seeks McLaren Exit, Verstappen Rumors Grow
and smashed six display cases in the jewelry room during the lightning raid, according to police sources.
An anonymous source close to the investigation provided details regarding the estimated value and the nature of the stolen luxury items, noting that the pieces lacked precious gems and cannot be melted down.
"Around twenty pieces of jewelry were stolen.
The loss is currently being assessed but could amount to several million euros, likely close to four million (over $4.5 million)," said a source close to the investigation.
The same source revealed that local authorities were not immediately alerted by the private security firm managing the property's alarms.
"An alarm went off, but by the time the security company had completed its checks, it was a cleaning lady who arrived first on the scene and called the police," added the first investigation source.
Mayor Criticizes Security Response
Wingen-sur-Moder Mayor Christian Dorschner expressed severe frustration with the security response timeline following the break-in.
"All the alarms went off, just as they should.
And then with the security company, apparently, there was a major failure on their part: they didn't intervene right away, they didn't inform the gendarmes," said Dorschner.
