Is it true that a group of journalists stole the Empire State Building for only one day? How did police catch the thief who stole one of Norway’s most famous paintings? Has anyone found a Stradivarius? Stradivarius was one of the most famous concert violinists of the 20th century.
Everyone knows that famous art and historical artifacts are some of the most valuable works, but what’s the real reason for stealing the most expensive items on earth? Below, you’ll learn about some of the world’s most expensive items and the dangerous operations involved in stealing them.
Known as one of the most famous paintings in the world, The Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci, was once stolen by a staff member of the Louvre where the painting is housed. Vincenzo Perugia was a maintenance man working in the Louvre and had been hired to build glass cases for some of the museum’s works of art. In August 1911, he waited in a closet until after the museum had closed for the day and stole the painting along with two other staff members.
Two years later in 1913, the Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre after Peruglia tried to sell it to an Italian art dealer. Once found by police, Peruglia claimed that he wanted to return the painting to its native Italy and was sentenced to seven months in jail. The Mona Lisa ranks as one of the most expensive
