Italy recovers three artworks stolen in March museum heist

Italian authorities recover three stolen artworks by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse that are valued at millions of euros. Five suspects were reportedly arrested. An investigation is underway.

The three artworks are Auguste Renoir's painting "Fish," pencil and watercolour "Still Life with Cherries" by Paul Cezanne, and colour aquatint "Odalisque on the Terrace" by Henri Matisse.

The Italian Carabinieri's art recovery squad says they were discovered in a private museum near the northern city of Parma during searches ordered by prosecutors.

Earlier in March, a heist took place at the Magnani Rocca Foundation as thieves forcing open the door and taking the paintings in less than three minutes before they fled across the museum gardens, according to local media reports. The museum believes a structured and organised gang was behind the theft.