Six original engravings by Pablo Picasso, stolen last month in France, have been recovered in perfect condition / Seven people have been detained

Seven people were detained on Tuesday in France as part of an investigation into the theft of six original engravings signed by Pablo Picasso. The artworks were recovered in perfect condition, the French National Gendarmerie announced on Wednesday.

The theft took place on the night of October 1–2 at a venue in the historic center of Mougins, in the Alpes-Maritimes department. According to investigators, two masked and gloved individuals broke into the venue while a third suspect waited for them in a vehicle. The three stole the engravings and fled.

The loss was estimated at more than €100,000, although the exact value of the artworks is difficult to determine. The Grasse Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation, while the Cannes research brigade quickly reconstructed the suspects’ route.

The investigation led to the identification of the direct perpetrators, the people who took possession of the stolen goods, and the accomplices who provided logistical support. Investigators also established a connection to a vehicle theft committed several months earlier. According to the Gendarmerie, some of the suspects are members of organized crime networks and are known for possessing and using firearms.