ZAGREB, July 22, 2018 - Police in northern Italy have recovered two paintings stolen in 2017, a Renoir and a Rubens, said to be worth millions, and one of the suspects is a Croat national, ANSA reported.
The two stolen paintings have been identified as 'Holy family' by 18th century French painter Pierre-August Renoir and 'Girls on the lawn' by 15th-16th century Belgian painter Peter Paul Rubens.
Italian art-squad police displayed the paintings for reporters in Monza, a city in the northern Lombardy regional of Italy.
Investigators allege the paintings were stolen in Monza from a pair of art dealers by suspects posing as buyers. The investigators say the thieves had signed a phony contract pledging to pay 26 million euro for the paintings. According to investigators, when the dealers were distracted, the thieves snatched the paintings and drove off.
Police said the paintings were found in a warehouse in Turin, Italy. Investigators said there are eight suspects, including four Italians and a Croat who were arrested last month in the case.
