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In a bizarre turn of events, Italian bike manufacturer Pinarello fell prey to a double heist after discovering 19 units missing from their showroom. The manner of the heist could rival even those shown in Hollywood movies as authorities scratch their heads to understand how it all unfolded!

Under the cloak of darkness, a group of masked thieves orchestrated not one but a double win at the prestigious Cicli Pinarello showroom in Treviso. They left with 19 bicycles worth over €250,000. The two robberies took place 20 hours apart and have left the local authorities in a state of shock and confusion.

Italian cycling giant hit with double heist

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Based on preliminary investigations, the robbery was no small feat and required astute planning and proper execution. CCTV footage revealed three masked men exiting a van and cutting the fence in order to enter the facility.

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After finishing their makeshift entry to the facility, all they needed were three minutes to remove 12 bicycles and flee before the police arrived.

If authorities believed that they could breathe easily, they were in for a surprise. In a shocking and daring display, the thieves returned the same day at 11 pm. Their audacious modus operandi and stealth took everyone by surprise.

They stole seven more high-priced items, worth €14,000 each. Both burglaries took place outside the business hours and reports indicate that most of the bicycles stolen were road bikes. Authorities are rushing to get to the bottom of this daring double heist.

The black market dilemma

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One thing that will be haunting authorities is the manner of the heist. The robbers seemed very well equipped for every situation that could arise. It highlights that they had access to a lot of private and necessary information.

They reported 19 high-end bicycles missing from the showroom. This is not the first time Pinarello bicycles have been on the wrong side of robberies. In 2021, robbers stole 22 Pinarello track bikes that were part of the Italian National Teams from a van parked in their hotel during the UCI World Championships in Roubaix.

The approximate cost of the stolen goods was €600,000. Fortunately, authorities could locate them and have a successful investigation. According to the police, there is a budding black market in Eastern Europe for stolen bicycles. They suspect that this operation, too, could see most of the stolen items make their way to the same market. Surveillance footage is being thoroughly examined, and images of the three suspects are being studied.

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Incidents like these highlight the broader challenges cycling teams and manufacturers face to safeguard high-value equipment. Pinarello will be hoping there is a repeat of 2021, where the bicycles are recovered and the guilty charged.

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