Jewelry Stolen From Vienna Museum as Two Suspects Flee

Image: Police at the Museum of Applied Arts following the theft. Photograph published by ORF, August 27, 2026.

Vienna, August 27, 2026 — Two unidentified men stole an exhibition object from a museum in central Vienna on Thursday afternoon, prompting a major police search across the city. According to Vienna police, the suspects entered the museum at around 2:00 p.m., appearing to be ordinary visitors before suddenly smashing a glass display case and taking an exhibition object. Nobody was injured during the incident.

The men then fled the museum with the stolen object. An immediate search involving numerous police officers was launched, but the suspects had not been found by Thursday evening. Police said the initial search measures had produced no results. Investigators from the Vienna State Criminal Police Office are now working to establish exactly what happened and identify the two men.

Witnesses reportedly saw the suspects during the theft. Police investigators are examining evidence from the scene and reviewing available surveillance footage in an attempt to reconstruct the men's movements before and after the crime. The Federal Criminal Police Office's unit responsible for investigating stolen cultural property has also been brought into the case.

The incident took place at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna, according to Austrian broadcaster ORF. ORF reported that the stolen object is believed to have been jewelry. Earlier reports had not identified either the location of the theft or the stolen object, but later information from ORF identified the MAK and indicated that jewelry was taken.

The theft is particularly notable because the MAK is currently hosting GLANZSTÜCKE: Van Cleef & Arpels High Jewelry × Masterpieces from the MAK Collection. The exhibition brings together around 500 objects, including more than 300 pieces from the Van Cleef & Arpels collection and more than 200 objects from the MAK collection. It is scheduled to run until September 27, 2026.

The exhibition features high-value jewelry and objects displayed in the museum as part of a major international presentation. ORF previously reported that the exhibition was subject to extensive security measures because of the value of the jewelry on display. Specially constructed high-security display cases were installed to protect the pieces during the exhibition.

Despite those security measures, police say the suspects managed to break a glass display case and escape. It remains unclear exactly which piece was stolen and whether it belonged to the Van Cleef & Arpels collection or the MAK's own collection. Investigators have not publicly released the value or a detailed description of the missing object.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help identify the suspects to contact the Vienna State Criminal Police Office at 01 31310 38200. Information can also be provided anonymously.

The investigation remains ongoing, and further details about the stolen jewelry, the suspects and the circumstances of the theft are expected as investigators continue examining evidence and surveillance footage.