A 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary was forcibly removed from a hermitage in Spain using tools, with suspects identified as part of a group targeting religious sculptures for resale.
A statue of the Virgin of Buen Suceso was stolen from the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso in Fuente del Maestre (Spain), where it had been displayed in an exterior niche approximately four metres above the main entrance.
Given its elevated position, the removal required planning and the use of specific tools. The perpetrators reportedly used ladders along with manual instruments such as a hammer and chisel to detach the sculpture from its pedestal, causing damage to the structure.
The statue was subsequently offered for sale through online contacts. Investigations revealed that the individuals involved were not acting randomly, but were specifically targeting religious sculptures, which they sought to sell through informal channels and online platforms.
Several suspects, members of the same family, have been identified in connection with the theft. Authorities are examining whether they may be linked to other cases involving the theft and resale of religious objects.
Update: The statue was recovered.
Source: canalextremadura / Facebook